Brussels, 30 November 2021 (TDI): The council and the European Parliament agreed on a renewal of the mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on the 29th of November. This agreement aims to reinforce the work abilities of ECDC under scrutiny, forewarning, and preparedness for health challenges.
The modernized mandate deals formation of an EU Health Task Force for abetting outbreaks of disease. It will also furnish prowess to European Commission and EU countries for the development and execution of prepared plans.
Vice-president for Promoting our European way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, and Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides, made the following statement:
“Today, we are moving one step closer to a stronger European Health Union that is ready to face the next health crisis. The European Medicines Agency has been at the forefront of our work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and has played a key role in advising, assessing, and allowing vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19. It is thanks to the rigorous assessment of EMA that our citizens can have trust and confidence that vaccines and therapeutics used in the EU are safe and effective.
A stronger European Medicines Agency (EMA) means we can count on a coordinated EU response in mitigating and preventing medicine and medical devices shortages and ensuring faster approval and availability of new medicines to address crises in the future.
Today’s agreement is an important step for a stronger and more resilient EU. But we also need to strengthen the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, adopt new rules for cross-border health threats, and set up the emergency framework for the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority.
The Commission proposals are on the table and we call on all institutions to work together to find a way forward as quickly as possible. Every day counts.”
Adding to this, Janez Poklukar, Slovenian Minister for Health stated, “While another wave is hitting us hard, we need to look ahead and plan for the future. This pandemic has shown that we need better insights into cross-border health threats, up-to-date action plans, and more coordination. A stronger mandate for the ECDC is another step in that direction.”
Both entities, European Parliament and Council will have to officially adopt the regulation before it comes into effect.
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