SANT Committee Engages with Commissioner Várhelyi on Health and Digital Innovation

The European Parliament’s Special Committee on Public Health (SANT) recently held a dialogue with Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, to discuss key health policy initiatives and digital innovation in healthcare. While no major developments emerged, the discussion provided insights into the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and its broader implications for the European health sector.

Building the European Health Union

Commissioner Várhelyi welcomed the establishment of a dedicated European Parliament committee for health issues, considering it a significant step forward in strengthening public health policy. He suggested reviewing the Commission’s progress during its first 100 days and setting expectations for the year ahead. Central to his vision is the ambition to build a robust European Health Union, leveraging digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and data to create efficient, accessible, and resilient health systems.

A milestone in this effort was the adoption of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) Regulation on 21 January. Várhelyi emphasized the importance of effectively implementing the EHDS across Europe, arguing that structured health data could drive European innovation and competitiveness. He highlighted how EHDS would facilitate collaboration between researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to design targeted prevention strategies and improve treatment options for various health challenges, including rare diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions.

Innovation and the Role of Biotechnology

Várhelyi also underscored the need for Europe to take a “leading role in global biotechnology innovation“, which he believes will modernize the EU economy and enhance healthcare delivery. While acknowledging Europe’s strengths in research, he pointed out the gap in translating research into market-ready innovations. To address this, he announced plans to propose a Biotech Act next year, a move aimed at utilizing technology and data to revolutionize disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Financial and Ethical Considerations of Digital Health

The dialogue also featured interventions from MEPs, highlighting key concerns regarding digital health implementation.

Tomislav Sokol (HR, EPP) raised the issue of financial investment, estimating that the implementation of the EHDS would require billions of euros. His remarks underscored the need for substantial funding to ensure the success of digital health transformation.

Gerald Hauser (AT, PfE) expressed reservations about prioritizing digitalization over fundamental healthcare services. While recognizing the EU’s planned 16-billion-euro investment in digitalization by 2027, he warned against excessive reliance on technology at the expense of personal patient-doctor interactions. Hauser urged the Commission to maintain a focus on ensuring universal access to quality medical care, cautioning against the potential rise of a multi-tier healthcare system where digital advancements might inadvertently create disparities in healthcare access.

Data Protection and Patient Rights

Addressing concerns about data security and patient rights, Commissioner Várhelyi reassured the committee of the Commission’s unwavering commitment to protecting patient data, as outlined in the EHDS Regulation. He stressed that patients would always retain control over their personal health data, with no compromises or exceptions.

The discussion reinforced the European Parliament’s commitment to fostering innovation while safeguarding patient rights and ensuring equitable healthcare access. Moving forward, the successful implementation of the EHDS and the proposed Biotech Act will be crucial in shaping the future of European healthcare.