Escalation in price of medicines

30.9.2014

Question for written answer E-007394-14
to the Council
Rule 130
Enrico Gasbarra (S&D)

The escalation in the price of medicines, drugs for hepatitis C being one example, is taxing countries' ability to maintain healthcare spending in the long term.

As discussed in the last informal meeting of the EU health ministers, which took place in Milan on 22 and 23 September 2014, many Member States have shown they agree on the need for joint efforts to enable sharing of best practices as well as faster access for the good of patients.

Can the Council say what joint cooperation initiatives it intends to propose and carry forward during forthcoming EU presidencies, in view of austerity, sustainability problems caused by overly high prices and the differences in purchasing power in different countries?