Dr Joe Cassar, Minister for Health the Elderly and Community Care participated in the EPSCO Council meeting in Luxembourg earlier today. The agenda for today’s meeting was entirely dedicated to health issues.

Ministers adopted conclusions on the European Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Innovation in the Medical Device Sector, Childhood Immunisation and Modern, Responsive and Sustainable Health Systems.

Ministers discussed the recent outbreak of measles within the European Union and underlined the need to continue to intensify their efforts to ensure consistently high coverage rates to prevent such disease outbreaks. The head of the European Centre for Disease Control highlighted that the measles vaccine has an excellent safety profile whilst measles itself is a disease with potentially serious consequences. Ministers exchanged views on best practices undertaken to respond to the issue. Minister Cassar intervened and explained how Malta takes special attention to ensure a high level of coverage in vulnerable ethnic minority groups. He also mentioned the introduction of a new e-health system which records vaccines given, generates reports and alerts persons who are overdue for vaccines. An intensive exercise to recall children not reported as having been vaccinated with measles vaccine also took place in recent months. The value of school-based vaccination in achieving high coverage rates was also mentioned.

Ministers had a round table discussion on initiatives that need to be taken to ensure that European health systems remain responsive and sustainable particularly in the wake of the financial and economic crisis. Ministers mentioned their support for the use of Health Technology Assessment and e-health to maximise efficiency gains and performance. Ministers supported the launch of a reflection process but called for this to be focussed and practical and incorporated into existing EU structures. Minister Cassar explained that Malta has been working to bring about efficiency gains in its health system over the past four years. He specifically mentioned the setting up of a Division that focuses on sustainability and a financial monitoring and control unit within the Ministry as examples of good practice. He also mentioned that since 2010, a maximum reference price is being set for innovative expensive medicines being introduced on the government formulary. He explained that a major e health investment will be taking place in the coming months.

The public health dimension of migration from the Southern Neighbourhood was also debated by health Ministers. Minister Cassar highlighted the burden that Malta experienced in its health sector as a result of the migration phenomenon. He proposed the setting up of a special fund at European level to compensate the most affected Member States for the added burden on their healthcare services including the costs of medicines to treat this vulnerable population.

The council also discussed the E. coli outbreak. The Commission gave its latest update on the epidemiological information relating to this outbreak and explained that the situation is being monitored continuously in collaboration with the Member States and experts. The Commissioner explained that the suspected source, as yet awaiting confirmation of lab diagnosis is bean sprouts in Germany. The cases were all linked to the Northern Lander in Germany. The Commissioner emphasised that based on current information there was no evidence to support any ban on foodstuffs. Germany reported that the number of new cases has been decreasing but a high level of alert will still be maintained. An extraordinary council for agriculture ministers will be held tomorrow.

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