Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, in order to tackle the issue of rare diseases and the European strategy to be implemented in this regard, two aspects must be taken into account: the problem of the availability of appropriate medicines and therapies and, at the same time, the problem of accessibility and the right to care for all patients, and in all European countries, when these therapies are already available. In this context, Italy, a few days ago, approved an organic and thorough law on rare diseases, to which it dedicates funds and programs both for research and in support of patients. However, it cannot be a theme left to individual states, because one of the fundamental problems of rare diseases is the scarcity of data that hinder the identification of therapies and clinical pathways. Above all, however, the Union must play a key role in coordinating, promoting good practice and, even more decisively, guaranteeing equal rights for all patients with rare diseases. I think especially of the children affected by such terrible diagnoses and their families. These diseases can only be effectively addressed at European level. It is therefore necessary to make the European plan for rare diseases a priority to be included in the context of the European Health Union, the implementation of which is becoming increasingly urgent, day after day. The Socialist Group stands by all the sick and their families and we call on the Commission to take prompt action to tackle this urgent issue with concrete measures.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, I would like to thank Mrs Montserrat and all the rapporteurs from the other groups for the work they have done together in recent months. I think the final text is really a result to be proud of. The pandemic has put health and the need for an efficient health and pharmaceutical system at the centre and at the service of citizens. With this pharmaceutical strategy we have restored dignity to patients, calling all stakeholders to their responsibilities. On the one hand, public authorities, European and national, which must support research and innovation to allow Europe to be independent also in the health sector, but, on the other hand, also private entities, which have enormous responsibilities, in particular when they enjoy public support and financial aid. Too many countries and too many patients in Europe do not have access to treatment, even life-saving, because their markets are not commercially viable. Too much discrimination still exists in Europe between more or less rich countries. This is no longer acceptable. Now is the time to create a true European Health Union, in which all citizens finally see their right to a public and quality health system recognised and guaranteed, with minimum standards of health performance valid throughout Europe. We need maximum transparency and traceability of public funds, with the pricing of drugs that cannot be determined by how important this drug is for patients, but that must be linked to the real costs of research and development. Binding marketing clauses are needed in all European countries to leave no one behind. Maximum effort is needed to link the pharmaceutical strategy to the themes of sustainable development and sustainable development. Green Deal. From today, work on these strategic issues for the future of our Europe begins, and does not end.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, despite the obvious success in its final results of the European strategy to combat the pandemic, we are all well aware of the extremely difficult scenes of national and European authorities mainly due to Europe's lack of direct expertise on health. I therefore welcome the Commission's proposal on the HERA authority as a first step, although we cannot consider it sufficient. We understand the difficulty of the Commission, which has been faced with a wall by some governments, which, after demonstrating their total inadequacy, unfortunately remain anchored to national logics with respect to global threats. Unfortunately, a light structure is not enough, but we need a real European authority with competences, adequate structures and resources, and it is no less acceptable for Parliament to be cut off from the governance of such an important sector. Parliament will have to claim a role, both in front of the Commission and in front of national governments, especially those who continue to have a short-sighted and selfish look at the most precious good of our citizens: health.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, in these difficult months of the pandemic, we finally have one thing clear: More Europe is needed, including in the area of health. Citizens are asking us to let Europe handle the big public health and health issues. Citizens do not understand how it is possible that in a continent that is now interconnected from all points of view, there are today so great disparities and inequalities in such a delicate and decisive area for people's lives. The reports under discussion, which relaunch European competences, are therefore good, with a greater role of responsibility for the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and for a stronger coordination of the fight against cross-border threats. These are two more pieces for the final goal: a European Health Union that guarantees minimum rights and benefits for all European citizens. A Europe that ensures a quality public health system for all.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, the pandemic has made us appreciate the competence and humanity of our doctors, the readiness of health workers, workers and workers in essential services, the generosity of our fellow citizens, but at the same time the pandemic has highlighted the fragilities of national health systems, the weakness of the response to the crisis that has been too fragmented among the 27. In the face of today's and tomorrow's threats, the national response is no longer enough. We need a stronger Europe with more expertise and more effective tools and, as part of the European Health Union project, a stronger role for the European Medicines Agency with adequate resources, expertise, including enhanced coordination, including with respect to national counterparts. This is a necessary innovation if we are to be ready to defend our fellow citizens, our health, our economies, in the event of pandemic events such as COVID-19.