On 19 November, the HERA Info Day took place in Warsaw and online. It was attended by key stakeholders, including networks of public and private healthcare providers, pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing companies, emergency services, civil society organisations and NGOs.
SUMMARY OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS
Laurent MUSCHEL, Director (HERA)
During the introductory remarks, it was mentioned once again that HERA (Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority) was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to secure vaccines and is now focused on broader health security challenges. The event’s main goal was to discuss the funding opportunities and the expectations of their use. HERA’s mission is to overcome and, if possible, avoid health crises. It is important to be prepared and anticipate difficulties by surveilling and researching issues all around the world. One of the main priorities, at the moment, is to study and get ready for the health impacts that climate change could lead to.
Adam JARUBAS, PhD, Chair, European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT)
A key aspect of HERA relies on collaboration among different health organizations and institutions. As a matter of fact, cooperation is the best way to achieve effective solutions when it comes to health research. Another aspect that furthers and could speed up the process to prevent health crises is the fact that the subcommittee on public health is expected to transition into a full legislative committee, which will enhance its ability to create laws related to health.
Despite the improvements that have been taking place over the years there is still a problem of inequality and accessibility to medicines even within the EU itself, especially in Central and Eastern European countries. Therefore, relocating drug manufacturing in a more strategic way all across the EU is necessary to ensure safety and availability for all European citizens. Moreover, the need to use and upgrade AI technology for better and quicker results was highlighted, with the focus being on anticipation and mitigation of health threats.
Jarubas concluded by advocating for stronger collaboration between HERA and Member States to achieve better outcomes and a stronger general health of EU citizens.
Bartłomiej KURCZ, Deputy Head of Unit (HERA)
Katarzyna CZYŻ (HERA)
HERA follows a holistic approach to ensure the best results possible in the context of recent health challenges. There is a comprehensive mechanism for health emergency preparedness. Worldwide investigations unfold to monitor health threats that could come from other regions of the world. By gathering these data, it is easier to develop countermeasures in a fashionable amount of time so that if an outbreak occurs somewhere else, there is the possibility for the EU to prevent an actual crisis within its territories. This is also possible since HERA is not an independent agency but is part of the European Commission; hence, it can use resources coming from different directorates (better communication with Member States could improve HERA’s efficiency). This condition leads HERA to not have its own budget, but it relies on the EU budget; as a matter of fact, it also benefits from funds coming from EU programs like Horizon Europe and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Nonetheless, discussions about future funding for health initiatives are taking place.
Bartłomiej KURCZ, Deputy Head of Unit (HERA)
Chiara GIUSTO, Programme Manager, Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)
HERA has been playing a relevant role in the recent EU’s health-related successes. For instance, it eased the process of obtaining several vaccines and other medical supplies to be better prepared for possible health emergencies. It strengthened communication and collaboration with diverse research institutions and several stakeholders; consequently, the development of medical countermeasures is not faster and more effective.
A call for action was presented to highlight the need for new funding opportunities. New proposals whose focus is on critical medicines and health data initiatives are expected to take place next year.
