Pandemic Flu: Public Health Approaches

September, the 22th 2009

“Pandemic Flu: Public health approaches” Thursday the 8 October 2009 13:00 - 14:00 European Parliament, Room A5E2, Brussels Within the “Meet the Society” event, organised by the CIVIL SOCIETY CONTACT GROUP

Description The ‘treatment-only’ and ‘vaccination-only’ buying approach towards the Influenza A (Pandemic Flu) worries a number of policy makers and members of the public health community. There is a need to explain therefore the different roles of health professionals and vaccine manufacturers in tackling the Pandemic Flu and the compromises that they have to make in the current environment. The discussion needs to be moved away from the issue of commercial interests and from being discussed by only non-health professional stakeholders.

Health professionals must be seen as key partners in public health decision-making, and all should have their views heard in the preparation of the EU strategy of how to respond to the Pandemic Flu.

Fundamed (General Patients Alliance), with the support of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is organising and event in the European Parliament on the Pandemic Flu. This event will be attended by doctors, pharmacists, nurses and vaccine manufacturer representatives, as well as European policy makers.

The aim of the event is to share the views of the key players on this issue with MEPs interested in health issues. This event is part of the “Meet Civil Society” exhibition organised by the Civil Society Contact Group, where EPHA sits as a member.

Spain will follow Sweden and hold the EU Presidency for a six month period between 1 January 2010 and 31 June 2010 and have already named tackling Pandemic Flu as an objective for the presidency agenda. Several EU organisations are calling for a common Pandemic Flu EU strategy.

This event will attempt to stimulate MEPs into action and provide them with first hand information about the main concerns of the health sector with regards Pandemic Flu.

Date and Timing Thursday 8 October 2009 From 13:00 h to 14:00 h Room A5E2, European Parliament

Host MEP: Dr.Cristian Silviu Busoi MEP (ALDE, RO) Co-Moderator: Santiago Quiroga, Fundamed-General Patients Alliance

“The pandemic flu: current state. Future of the vaccines and role of the health professional in a public health context "

1. Welcome and opening speech from Dr.Cristian Silviu Busoi MEP

2. Welcome address from the European Public Health Alliance-EPHA: Ms. Monika Kosinska, Secretary General EPHA

3. Panel debate moderated by Cristian Silviu Busoi MEP and Santiago Quiroga, Fundamed-General Patients Alliance

Speakers: - Paul de Raeve, Secretary General, EFN-European Federation of Nurses - Julio Zarco; President, Spanish Family Physician-SEMERGEN and member of General Patients Alliance-Fundamed) - Patrick Florent, President, European Vaccine Manufacturers Group

4. Questions and Answers 5. Concluding remarks: Cristian Silviu Busoi MEP and Santiago Quiroga, Fundamed