09 June 2008

News from the EU

 

EU Consultation on Information to Patients

DG Enterprise and Industry conducted a public consultation, from February to April 2008, for a legal proposal on Information to Patients aiming at ensuring that all EU citizens have access to good-quality, objective, reliable and non-promotional information on prescription-only medicinal products. The EFN provided its input to this consultation, on 7 April 2008, through the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA).

 

The results of this public consultation are now available at the following link.

EU Communication on the Social Cohesion negotiations outcomes

The European Commission published, on 14 May 2008, a communication on the results of the negotiations concerning cohesion policy strategies and programmes for the programming period 2007-2013, which demonstrates that the EU countries had taken a completely different approach to cohesion policy by putting competitiveness and cohesion objectives on the same track. As a result of the negotiation process, the quality of the programmes has been improved, and their content has become more closely aligned with major Community priorities.

 

For further information, click here.

EU Transparency Initiative

The initiative report by Ingo Friedrich (EPP-DE, DE) asking for greater clarity with regard to lobbyist activities was adopted on 8 May by 547 votes in favour, 24 against and 59 abstentions. According to the report all players who “aim to influence the policy formulation and decision-making processes of the European Institutions” will have to appear in an obligatory public register at the Council, the European Commission and in the European Parliament; will be obliged to show clearly their financial sources; and will have to obey a code of conduct. Furthermore, from now on, every MEP who writes a report will be able to mention groups who have been consulted in the elaboration of that report. The voluntary lobbyist register and accompanying code of conduct (adopted on 28 May 2008) should be published on 23 June 2008.

 

For further information, click here.

Publications

New ICN Guidance on Advanced Practice Nursing

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) as released a new publication entitled “The Scope of Practice, Standards and Competencies of the Advanced Practice Nurse”, which focuses on the issues and influences leading to the development of the scope of practice, standards and competencies of the role of the advanced practice nurse. This publication was developed as a result of the growth of this professional role and is a response to multinational changes in the health care systems, such as globalization, economic constraints, reform, technology and consumer demand. This publication aims to provide guidance and direction to nurses, the nursing profession, educators, regulatory authorities and the consumers of care.

 

To order this publication, click here.

Guidelines on Incentives for Health Professionals

Commissioned by the Global Health Workforce Alliance, the “Guidelines on Incentives for Health Professionals” are underlining both financial and non-financial incentives as critical to ensuring effective recruitment, retention and performance of health workers across the world. It describes the different approaches taken by a number of countries; and underlines how incentives are important levers that organizations can use to attract, retain, motivate and improve the performance of their staff in all professions.

 

For further information, click here.