European Healthcare Fraud & Corruption Network - News

OLAF changes its structure and procedures for more efficient investigations

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:56:00 +0000

The European Anti-Fraud Office OLAF has announced important changes to its organisation and working methods which aim at focusing resources on prioritised activities and at increasing the efficiency and quality of OLAF's investigations.

Proposal on new EU data protection presented

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:16:00 +0000

The European Commission published on the 25th January a broad legislative package aimed at safeguarding personal data across the EU. The set of new rules proposed by Viviane Reding, Justice and fundamental rights commissioner is expected to strengthen citizens' rights and could have a far-reaching impact on the way online data are collected and processed, if approved by Parliament and member states.

Preventing misuse of public funds by criminal organisations

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 06:55:00 +0000

Public funds should be made fully traceable to prevent mafia-styled organisations from misusing them, states a resolution approved by the Civil Liberties Committee. MEPs call for a special EP committee to investigate infiltration of the public sector and the legal economy by organized crime.

Concept paper on pharmacovigilance implementingmeasures released for consultation

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:06:00 +0000

The European Commission is seeking views from the public on a concept paper on implementing measures for the performances of activities related to the safety monitoring of medicines.

Stepping up the fight against corruption in EU countries

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 06:43:00 +0000

MEPs are urging the Council and Commission to ensure that all EU countries give a firm political commitment to combat corruption and enforce rules to prevent it. A resolution is to be voted on Thursday.

New EU legislation on falsified medicines was published 1st July

Fri, 1 Jul 2011 06:59:00 +0000

The new legislation contains measures to ensure that medicines are safe and overall tougher rules to improve the protection of citizen's health.

EU's anti-corruption drive hits Bulgaria, Romania

Tue, 7 Jun 2011 13:17:00 +0000

The European Commission unveiled its first ever proposal to address corruption at EU level on June 6^th. Pressure is now growing on Bulgaria and Romania to tackle corruption and mafia crime as preconditions of their accession to the EU's...

Medical tourism and cross-border healthcare will develop and expand in Europe

Fri, 20 May 2011 10:28:00 +0000

The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies recently published a new report, showing that the European cross-border healthcare and medical tourism will continue to develop and increase even more. Moreover, the study...

Commission wants to limit use of European arrest warrant

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:14:00 +0000

The European Commission wants to prevent that legal systems get obstructed with minor crimes. A report scheduled for adoption by the European Commission states that members ought to discipline local prosecutors who issue European...

MEPs criticize lack of information on fraud and irregularities

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 07:41:00 +0000

In a resolution passed by the European Parliament on April 6, a lack of information on irregularities and fraud in connection with the spending of EU funds in EU Member States is criticized. The parliament is also concerned about the lack of checks on...

Indian pharma firms and NGOs oppose EU free trade deal

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:12:00 +0000

India's pharmaceutical industry is the world's third-largest by volume but only the fourteenth in terms of value. The EU is India's largest trading partner, trade in goods and services are estimated at just under € 69 billion in 2009...

Ministers back innovation alliance on 'healthy ageing'

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:15:00 +0000

The EU prepares to launch a pilot innovation partnership on "active and healthy ageing,''. The goal of the partnership, which will involve private and public partners, is to increase the life expectancy of Europeans by an average of two years by 2020..

MEPs approve laws to curb counterfeit drugs

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:30:00 +0000

On Wednesday 16 February the European Parliament approved laws to curb sales of counterfeit medicines, which are increasing around 15% a year in Europe and rampant on the Internet.

MEPs have adopted a report that calls for EU-wide action to tackle health inequalities in Europe

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 11:20:00 +0000

UK Tory deputy Emma McClarkin drafted the report, which looks at ways in which the internal market can be made more effective to deal with health inequalities..

Lawmakers tighten rules on drug information to patients

Wed, 1 Dec 2010 14:57:00 +0000

Patients should get better information on prescription drugs following a vote in the European Parliament yesterday (24 November) that aims to better educate consumers and protect them from hidden advertising...

Deal in sight as EU patient mobility vote nears

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 08:48:00 +0000

A 'yes' vote in the European Parliament's public health committee today (27 October) could pave the way for Europeans to get medical treatment anywhere in the Union...

EU Commissioner Dalli at the European Health Forum Gastein: Tougher stance on tobacco – Innovation partnership on active and healthy ageing

Fri, 8 Oct 2010 12:33:00 +0000

EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli, presented some of his key health priorities today at the 13th European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG). Among the important topics on his agenda: prevention, in particular in the field of tobacco control; an appropriate framework for cross-border healthcare; and innovation in the field of active and healthy ageing.

Relief as drug 'advertising' plan ditched

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:14:00 +0000

Controversial plans to allow pharmaceutical companies to publish medicines information in newspapers have been scrapped by MEPs...

Council improves safety of transplantations and facilitates the exchange of human organs in the EU

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:25:00 +0000

The Council today adopted a directive setting out the basic quality and safety requirements for human organs intended for transplantation (19/10 + 11143/10 ADD 1 + 11143/10 ADD 2)...

Parliament raises fresh doubts about EU health bill

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:30:00 +0000

The bill now goes back to the European Parliament, which has already backed a more far-reaching version of the directive.

Cross-border healthcare: Directive under discussion again

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:21:00 +0000

Next week, the European Union's health ministers will discuss a draft law that has been instigated by Spain which aims at making it easier for patients to get treatment wherever they are in the EU.

Common EU standards on organ donation adopted

Fri, 21 May 2010 14:20:00 +0000

On the 19^th of May 2010, the European Parliament voted on a proposed directive in order to set common EU quality and safety standards on organ transplants.

European Parliament adopts Written Declaration on Corruption

Tue, 18 May 2010 08:47:00 +0000

The Written Declaration on the European Union's efforts to combat corruption has been adopted by the European Parliament on the 6^th of May 2010, having obtained the signatures of more than half of the Members of the European Parliament.

New justice priorities under the ‘Stockholm Programme'

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:34:00 +0000

On the 20^th of April 2010, the European Commission has highlighted its main measures for 'Stockholm Programme' which aims to harmonise and rectify current EU justice and home affairs policies.

EU Commission reveals its 2010 work plan for now and its future years

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:30:00 +0000

The new work programme consists of four main sections which deal with economic crisis and maintaining the EU social market economy, building an agenda devoted to citizens, enhancing the current external agenda so as to maximize outreach services and lastly, creating a new modern approach to current EU instruments and the way of working.

European pharmacy industry body will participate in anti – counterfeit pilot study

Thu, 8 Apr 2010 13:46:00 +0000

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has organized and will participate in an anti – counterfeiting project that will last for a duration of two months.

Brussels backs cross border healthcare

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:54:00 +0000

EU Commissioner believes that cross border healthcare records can be furthered by The European Patients Smart Open Services

Management of OLAF: a problem for the new EC anti-fraud commissioner?

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 09:30:00 +0000

In 2009, according to a Eurobarometer survey, 78% of Europeans felt that corruption is a major problem in their country.

2010 European year for combating poverty and social exclusion

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 09:24:00 +0000

EHFCN would like to support this year and this European campaign as it has identified that a basic right to healthcare is often impeded by regular...

European Commission to be voted tomorrow

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:31:00 +0000

On Tuesday 9 February, the European Parliament in Strasbourg is expected to vote on the Barroso II Commission. Update: The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved the new European Commission.