Other News

This September, European Member States nominated their picks for the College of Commissioners, also known as the European Commission President’s team. Each Member State needs to nominate one Commissioner, which then are assigned a portfolio, a department, by the President-elect and then heard and confirmed by the relevant committees in the European Parliament.

News from other Societies

The EU Health Coalition published two statements in September on research coordination and access to innovation. The first statement called for a balanced Horizon Europe fostering research and innovation that ensures sufficient coordination. The second one argues for the creation of a Stakeholder Forum for Better Access to Health Innovation to address persisting critical health challenges in the EU.

Health ministers and high-level representatives of the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, as well as partner and civil society organizations, will take part in the 69th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe. The session took place at UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark, on 16–19 September 2019

Following the publication of its report on “The development of intercultural care and support for people with dementia from minority ethnic groups” in 2018, Alzheimer Europe has now launched an online repository of intercultural care initiatives, aimed at improving the situation of people with dementia and carers from minority ethnic backgrounds.

To celebrate World Brain Day (July 22nd), the European Federation of Neurological Associations [EFNA] co-hosted events in four European capitals – Brussels, Bucharest, Dublin and Warsaw!

During 2018 EFNA continued to build on some of their ongoing projects – such as the MEP Interest Group on Brain, Mind and Pain and the Training Initiatives for Neurology Advocates.

European elections: developments in EU institutions Even though summer has arrived in Brussels, activities have not slowed down at EU level and there have been significant changes in leadership announced. Below is an overview of the main developments in the ‘EU Bubble’ following the EU Elections of last May

31 July 2019: Alzheimer Europe' adds new trials to its Clinical Trials Watch resource

In 2018, EBC launched a wide range of events, projects and advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting brain research and addressing the disease burden of mental and neurological conditions.

 “SILENTLY LOSING THE BRAIN – The enigma of small vessel disease” Come to Copenhagen for the next Brain Prize Meeting in November 2019. With international keynote speakers, including the 2019 prize winners, the Lundbeck Foundation Brain Prize Meeting aims to bring a broad range of researchers to discuss why small vessel disease has emerged as a major contributor to dementia, migraine and stroke worldwide.

The European Medicines Agency has recommended that the multiple sclerosis medicine Gilenya (fingolimod) must not be used in pregnant women and in women able to have children who are not using effective contraception. If a woman becomes pregnant while using Gilenya, the medicine must be stopped and the pregnancy will have to be closely monitored. This is because the active substance in Gilenya, fingolimod, can harm the unborn baby and may cause birth defects.

News from other societies

Ahead of discussions on the new Multiannual Financial Framework (EU Budget for 2021-2027) during the European Council Summit on 20-21 June, the BioMed Alliance together with the EU Health Coalition partners published a statement advocating for a more substantial EU research budget.

Early Bird rates for the 29th Alzheimer Europe Conference (#29AEC) closed on 30 June 2019. Alzheimer Europe is delighted to announce that almost 600 delegates have already registered, with many more expected between now and close of online registrations, on 13 October 2019. The number of registrations so far has exceeded all previous years. Alzheimer Europe is excited to see everyone there, for what promises to be a diverse and engaging conference.