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Yesterday’s report by Thomson Reuters on the real causes of excessive costs in the US healthcare system make interesting reading. Centre stage is over-treatment generated by a litigious culture which encourages patients to sue and, from that, doctors to perform tests and procedures, not because in their clinical judgement the patient needs them but because […]

I put it down to Irish politeness to always say “no” first when asked if we want something and to follow up with a “yes” when asked the second time. “Will you have a cup of Lisbon tea?Oh no thank you, I’ve had quite enough already.Are you sure? I’ve just made some and I can […]

Returning to the daily routine after a long, and hot, summer break is always characterised by mixed feelings. Part wishes the languorous morning routines to carry on whilst other forces bring a refreshed mind optimistic about the challenges ahead. This morning’s bright and early start in Brussels was illuminated by two articles in the Financial […]

Talking about the role of the EU in the developing world EC Director General for Development Stefano Manservisi described the new approach to health development policy on a global level: “From donorship to partnership”. He explained that access to medicine needs to be viewed as not only provision of medicines but rather the ability to […]

An interesting article in the latest issue of Clinica.  David Nicolson, the CEO of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) speaking at the Innovation Expo meeting stressed the importance of investing in innovation for long-term benefits and warned the NHS against isolating itself and becoming risk-averse.Clearly the what Eucomed has been alerting policy makers to […]

A crowded room at the offices of the European Policy Center yesterday afternoon. The topic of the day is “The future of medical devices in Europe”. The distinguished panel includes Josée Hansen, Pharm. D, project leader, Priority Medical Devices/ EHT, WHO-Geneva . Ms Hansen elaborated on the project’s approach, scope and objectives. In a nutshell, […]

Sitting in the crowded main conference hall of Berlin International Congress Center (ICC) on the opening day of Germany’s largest health policy conference, the so-called Hauptstadtkongress, I am keen to see where senior government officials see the healthcare system headed. The conference center breathes the atmosphere of a 70s sci-fi movie. I am listening to […]

Just sitting at the airport after what was an excellent Global Harmonization Task Force Conference. Well done Steve Dibert and his crew, not to mention Health Canada. Who says regulatory affairs is boring! This conference really put the moose among the pigeons! We had a truly gripping opening session from Dr. Robert Jackson, the renowned […]

It was with some trepidation that I placed myself in the ‘lions  den’ of the pharmaceutical industry at the annual Euromeeting of the Drug Information Association in Berlin today. Sharing a platform to discuss the evolution of medical device regulation with Mdme Georgette Lalis of the EU Commission and David Feigal, former FDA Commissioner, proved […]