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Standing Committee of European Doctors

CPME

The Standing Committee of European Doctors represents national medical associations, advocating for healthcare quality.

Lobbying Activity

European doctors urge user-friendly health records to reduce burnout

22 Dec 2025
Topic — Review of the EU monitoring framework for 2030 digital transformation targets.
Message — Doctors request simplified digital records that prioritize clinical needs over data collection. They want automated systems that allow them to code information once for all uses.12
Why — Minimizing administrative tasks prevents professional burnout and prioritizes time for direct patient care.34
Impact — Software developers lose revenue because essential user-friendly system features must be provided for free.5
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Meeting with András Tivadar Kulja (Member of the European Parliament)

6 Nov 2025 · European Healthcare landscape

Meeting with Victor Negrescu (Member of the European Parliament) and AstraZeneca PLC and

4 Nov 2025 · EUROPA CONNECT - Health EU Summit

European Doctors Call for 'Just in Case' Health Workforce Model

25 Oct 2025
Topic — EU health crisis prevention, preparedness and response planning framework.
Message — The organization requests baseline healthcare workforce capacity with surge capabilities, safe staffing guidelines, guaranteed funding for preparedness structures, and increased European manufacturing of medicines. They emphasize the need to shift from 'just in time' to 'just in case' models.123
Why — This would provide doctors with adequate staffing levels and reduce burnout risks during health emergencies.45
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Meeting with Sebastian Everding (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Oct 2025 · EU’s health priorities

Meeting with Tomislav Sokol (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

25 Sept 2025 · Health policy

European Doctors Urge Comprehensive Rules to Tackle Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

16 Sept 2025
Topic — EU plan to prevent cardiovascular diseases through policy and innovation measures.
Message — The organization requests the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan address controllable risk factors through legislative action on food labeling, tobacco control, alcohol regulation, and marketing restrictions. They call for mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labels, revised tobacco directives, alcohol ingredient labeling with health warnings, and limits on marketing unhealthy products to children.12345
Why — This would strengthen their professional role in prevention and early detection of cardiovascular diseases.6
Impact — Food, alcohol, and tobacco industries lose marketing freedom and face stricter product regulations.78
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European Doctors Urge EMA Leadership to Protect Medical Device Safety

9 Sept 2025
Topic — The EU is evaluating rules to ensure medical devices are safe, innovative, and cost-efficient.
Message — CPME supports centralizing oversight under the EMA and requiring manufacturers to disclose clinical effectiveness data. Digital labels should not replace paper versions. They reject automatic device approvals if regulatory deadlines are missed.123
Why — Consistent data access allows doctors to provide safer treatments and better clinical guidance.4
Impact — Manufacturers lose the possibility of automatic market access when certification bodies face delays.5
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Meeting with Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

4 Sept 2025 · workforce shortages

Meeting with Aurelijus Veryga (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Sept 2025 · Discussion on Critical Medicines Act and health workforce

Meeting with Ruggero Razza (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and European Federation of Nurses Associations

15 Jul 2025 · INI EMPL-SANT report - EU health workforce crisis plan

European doctors demand better working conditions and workload management

8 Jul 2025
Topic — A consultation on implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights action plan.
Message — The organisation urges effective enforcement of EU working time rules and minimum staffing benchmarks. They call for reducing administrative burdens and providing accessible mental health services.12
Why — Enhanced well-being among doctors reduces burnout and improves the quality of patient care.3
Impact — National administrations and healthcare institutions would face increased costs to fund staffing and infrastructure.4
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Response to Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030

8 Jul 2025

Please find enclosed CPME's Policy on Sex and Gender in medicine.
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Response to Critical Medicines Act

20 Jun 2025

CPME Statement on the European Commission proposal for a Critical Medicines Act.
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Meeting with Michalis Hadjipantela (Member of the European Parliament) and European Association for the Study of Obesity

4 Jun 2025 · Meeting

Meeting with Dirk Van Den Steen (Acting Head of Unit Health and Food Safety) and Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union and European Federation of Nurses Associations

2 Jun 2025 · Health workforce actions at EU level

European Doctors Demand Clear Liability and Improved AI Training

22 May 2025
Topic — The consultation seeks to create a strategy for adopting trustworthy AI across EU strategic sectors.
Message — CPME requests a liability regime that prevents doctors being held responsible for machine errors. They also advocate for AI tools that automate administrative tasks like clinical documentation and coding.12
Why — This would protect doctors from legal risks and reduce their administrative workload.345
Impact — AI developers would face higher costs through strict liability and mandatory insurance requirements.67
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Meeting with Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall) and Health & Environment Alliance

21 May 2025 · Air pollution in Europe

European Doctors Link Biotech Funding to Pharma Transparency

20 May 2025
Topic — The European Commission is drafting the Biotech Act to support industry innovation.
Message — Doctors urge linking biotechnology financial support to increased transparency in the pharmaceutical sector. They also emphasize maintaining high standards for clinical trials and effective regulation.12
Why — Greater transparency provides medical professionals with higher quality data for healthcare decisions.3
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Response to EU Strategy on medical countermeasures

8 May 2025

CPME statement on the European Commission call for evidence on the Strategy to support medical countermeasures against public health threats.
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Meeting with Tilly Metz (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

4 Apr 2025 · Healthcare workforce

Response to Implementing regulation for electronic instructions for use for medical devices

20 Mar 2025

CPME Statement on medical devices electronic instructions for use.
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Meeting with Veronica Manfredi (Director Environment) and

19 Mar 2025 · CPME approached the Commission to underline full support for ambitious health & environment policies and offer collaboration in working towards a healthier Europe.

European doctors demand mandatory stocks to solve medicine shortages

17 Feb 2025
Topic — The consultation addresses supply chain vulnerabilities and dependencies regarding critical medicines in Europe.
Message — CPME calls for mandatory safety stocks of finished medicinal products at the producer level. They also request that doctors receive up-to-date information on shortages and available alternatives.12
Why — Better availability and information would help doctors protect patient safety during systemic medicine shortages.3
Impact — Pharmaceutical producers would face higher operational costs from new mandatory requirements to maintain stocks.4
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Meeting with Lucilla Sioli (Director Communications Networks, Content and Technology) and

14 Feb 2025 · The CPME discusses the legal and practical aspects of AI deployment in healthcare, focusing on its impact on clinical decision-making and adoption challenges

Meeting with Tilly Metz (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

6 Feb 2025 · Healthcare workforce

Meeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner) and

5 Feb 2025 · Exchange of views on EU health policy

Meeting with Fulvia Raffaelli (Head of Unit Health and Food Safety)

20 Jan 2025 · Meeting with CPME representatives to discuss their policy paper on AI in healthcare.

Meeting with Victor Negrescu (Member of the European Parliament) and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and

16 Oct 2024 · European Health Policies and their Impact on CEE Countries and Romania event

Meeting with Adam Jarubas (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

1 Oct 2024 · European medical professionals workforce crisis

Meeting with Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu (Member of the European Parliament)

1 Oct 2024 · Introductory Meeting

Meeting with Kateřina Konečná (Member of the European Parliament) and European Kidney Health Alliance

24 Sept 2024 · Introduction of political priorities

European doctors urge guidelines to protect minor mental health

17 Sept 2024
Topic — The Commission is drafting safety guidelines for online platforms accessible to children.
Message — The organization supports recommendations for platform providers to mitigate risks and ensure child safety. They emphasize balancing digital technology use with health-enhancing behaviors to protect mental wellbeing.12
Why — Stricter safety guidelines would help mitigate the public health crisis of technology-driven mental illness.3
Impact — Social media platforms may have to redesign features that encourage addictive digital habits.4
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Meeting with Tilly Metz (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Sept 2024 · Healthcare workforce

Meeting with Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Sept 2024 · EU health policy

Meeting with Tilly Metz (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

8 Apr 2024 · Pharmaceutical legislation

Meeting with Tilly Metz (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

16 Feb 2024 · European Health Data Space

European doctors urge harmonized rules for health data research

8 Feb 2024
Topic — The European Commission is evaluating the application of the General Data Protection Regulation.
Message — Doctors request long-promised guidelines for processing research data to ensure proper harmonization. They also call for better staffing of data authorities and clearer data laws.12
Why — Clearer rules would facilitate multi-country medical studies and support the digitization of healthcare.3
Impact — Patient empowerment and healthcare modernization are hindered by inconsistent legal interpretations across Member States.4
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Response to Interim evaluation of the EU4Health Programme 2021-2027

15 Dec 2023

Please see enclosed the response by the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
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Response to Review of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)

15 Dec 2023

Please see our feedback in the document attached.
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European Doctors Demand Mandatory Drug Stocks and Stricter Shortage Rules

3 Nov 2023
Topic — EU consultation on revising pharmaceutical laws to improve medicine access and supply chain security.
Message — The group demands mandatory safety stocks and an obligation for manufacturers to seek pricing approval across all Member States. They also seek to replace antimicrobial vouchers with alternative funding models to avoid market distortions.123
Why — Stricter evidence requirements and better shortage communication would help doctors prescribe safer and more reliable treatments.45
Impact — Drug manufacturers would face higher expenses through mandatory stockpiling, increased transparency requirements, and financial penalties.67
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Response to Communication on maximising the potential of talent mobility as part of the European Year of Skills

12 Oct 2023

Recommendations from the European Doctors (CPME): On behalf of the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), we welcome the opportunity to comment on the implementation of enhanced measures aimed at fostering a consistent approach throughout the European Union (EU) in the recognition of qualifications from third countries. The following considerations are vital in shaping these measures: Ethical recruitment CPME would like to reiterate that mobility for studying and training purposes is essential for the harmonisation of the quality of provided healthcare. Hence, mobility of medical students and doctors should be facilitated and encouraged. (Green Paper on the European Workforce for Health) However, migration driven by economic necessity or adverse working conditions is not acceptable. In such cases, it is vital to aim at determining and eliminating the root causes of such dynamics and to work towards improving the situation of the medical workforce in the country of origin (CPME Policy on Health Workforce). By establishing common standards towards educating, funding and supporting their respective national healthcare needs, the financially motivated migrations within the European Union should be kept to the level where free movement (a fundamental right) is the only factor driving migration. (GREEN PAPER on the European Workforce for Health) Member States should primarily work towards self-sufficient systems which educate an adequate number of health professionals to meet future needs. Where there is pro-active outreach to professionals abroad, Member States and private actors must implement ethical recruitment policies in full alignment with the EU Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment (Blue Card Directive) and the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (CPME Policy on Health Workforce) Circular Migration There must be incentives to stimulate circular migration, which create a bilateral win-win situation, such as partnerships at university and clinical level. (CPME Policy on Health Workforce) CPME thinks that the best way to prevent brain drain situations within the EU is to establish common standards on high quality training and CPD for health professionals on one side and to invest in proper working conditions and remuneration on the other side. (Green Paper on the European Workforce for Health) Integration of Refugee Doctors As established in CPME Statement concerning the integration of refugee doctors into the European workforce: Refugee doctors are a valuable potential resource; they are motivated professionals who want to contribute to the country that has given them shelter rather than depend on it. Furthermore, they are our colleagues who have lost all but their medical expertise and knowledge. Within the boundaries of their competences and available resources, NMAs are encouraged to promote refugee doctors access to the recognition of professional qualifications and licensing procedures to re-gain the right to practise medicine. In this, it is recommended to take into account possible specificities in these doctors situation, such as adapting administrative procedures to accommodate loss of papers. In no instance however may such specific procedures endanger patient safety. It is therefore necessary to ensure requirements as to authenticity of qualifications, the level of medical skills and competences, language knowledge, and good standing are upheld for refugee doctors on equal terms. Beyond these administrative processes, NMAs are called upon to facilitate the development of programmes that support the integration of refugee doctors into the profession. With regard to the NMA itself, this may include the invitation to refugee doctors to become a member.
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Meeting with Tomislav Sokol (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

4 Sept 2023 · EHDS

Meeting with Pernille Weiss-Ehler (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

16 Jun 2023 · Directive on Medicinal products for human use

European Doctors Urge Protection for Healthcare Workers' Mental Health

15 Feb 2023
Topic — The EU initiative aims to integrate mental health considerations into all policy areas.
Message — CPME requests future workstreams prioritize promotion, prevention, and early detection of mental health issues. They advocate for addressing healthcare worker burnout through psychosocial services and inter-disciplinary training.123
Why — Prioritizing doctors' well-being ensures they can deliver the highest standard of patient care.4
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Response to Vaccine-Preventable Cancers

2 Feb 2023

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) welcomes the Europes Beating Cancer Plans flagship initiative to support EU Member State efforts to extend routine vaccination against viruses that can cause cancers later in life. CPME supports the European Commissions proposal to support EU Member States efforts to extend routine vaccination of girls and boys against Human papillomaviruses (HPV) to eliminate cervical cancer and other cancers caused by those viruses. However, the goal set in the Europes Beating Cancer Plan to vaccinate at least 90% of the EU target population of girls by 2030 should be set also for boys. HPV vaccination should start early (9-12 years of age) and be free of charge as part of the national immunisation programmes. Moreover, the cost effectiveness of a nonavalent HPV vaccination should be studied and discussed in Europe. CPME also welcomes the proposals call for measures by EU Member States, stakeholders, and the Commission to increase access to vaccination against Hepatitis B virus (HBV) for all affected population groups, with a view to increasing vaccination uptake, as infection with HBV can become chronic and develop into cancer. CPME believes that the proposed initiative would increase coverage rates for HPV and HBV vaccination and would therefore have a positive impact on public health, including a reduced burden on health systems. It is of course essential to provide an easy access to these vaccines, to foster a high uptake. To this end, we call for tailored policies for hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations including refugees. Finally, European doctors, among other healthcare professionals, are pleased to see that the Coalition for Vaccination, co-chaired by CPME, will be consulted. CPME affirms that vaccination is a safe and efficient way of protecting individuals and populations from vaccine-preventable communicable diseases.
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Meeting with Javi López (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and European Environmental Bureau and

23 Jan 2023 · Revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives

Meeting with Sara Cerdas (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European Confederation of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs

7 Nov 2022 · Espaço Europeu de Dados de Saúde

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION and

7 Nov 2022 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Meeting with Tomislav Sokol (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

12 Oct 2022 · European Health Data Space - EHDS

Meeting with Giorgos Rossides (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides), Karolina Herbout-Borczak (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides), Ralf Kuhne (Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides)

22 Sept 2022 · Upcoming policy initiatives in the field of health, the European Health Data Space and revision of the pharmaceutical framework

Response to Enabling factors for digital education

8 Sept 2022

The European Doctors (CPME) represents national medical associations across Europe. We are committed to contributing the medical profession’s point of view to EU and European policy-making through pro-active cooperation on a wide range of health and healthcare related issues. CPME welcomes the opportunity to respond to the call for evidence on the Commission’s initiative for a “Proposal for a Council Recommendation on digital education”. The initiative is part of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021/2027) and intends to improve the provision of digital education, covering all levels of education and training. The objective is to support Member States in developing a digital education strategy, tackling identified challenges such as uneven school connectivity, shortage or inadequacy of digital equipment for teaching, problems with interoperability across platforms and services, access to high quality digital education content, socioeconomically disadvantaged learners, insufficient attention paid to accessible and assistive digital technologies for people with disabilities. Although the call is not directly aimed at the healthcare sector, CPME believes it is necessary to highlight key points from the CPME policies on digital competencies for doctors, on interoperability and on telemedicine that are relevant to developing a robust policy on digital education: 1. Academics, professionals, and policymakers should work together to identify the competences (knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and ethics) needed. These new skills should be reflected in the future curricula of faculties and integrated into continuous professional development (CPD). 2. For those already in the labour market, courses should be hands-on, taking place during working time to facilitate implementation, and benefit from new online methods for learning. Organisational encouragement and financial support for innovation are here vital. 3. Digital education programmes should be systematically monitored and regularly assessed on their implementation and effectiveness, as they are continuously updated. Their impact should be examined by independent bodies to ensure they are fit for purpose. 4. Interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration should be considered, when developing a core curriculum for digital competences. 5. Equitable access to the benefits of digital education should be supported with government’s investment in broadband infrastructure and digital literacy programmes. 6. Digital education should not contribute to the digital divide. It should be used as a complement where it is efficient to improve the quality of education. Face-to-face teacher-student interaction should remain the gold-standard. 7. Risks can arise as more students’ data are collected, exchanged, stored, and consequently profiled by systems. Security by design, privacy by design, professional secrecy and ethics must be considered as fundamental principles of digital education and of an interoperability policy in the educational sector. 8. The design of technical systems in educational settings must be driven by the needs of the educational system itself and teachers, and not by the needs of the industry. 9. The use of digital education should not be influenced by commercial factors nor used as a cost-saving measure to justify the closure of school facilities especially in less populated areas. Please see attached the adopted position including references.
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Response to Improving the provision of digital skills in education and training

8 Sept 2022

The European Doctors (CPME) represents national medical associations across Europe. We are committed to contributing the medical profession’s point of view to EU and European policy-making through pro-active cooperation on a wide range of health and healthcare related issues. CPME welcomes the opportunity to respond to the call for evidence on the Commission’s initiative for a “Proposal for a Council Recommendation on improving the provision of digital skills in education and training”. The initiative is part of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021/2027) and intends to (…) “put forward a strategic outlook to digital skills development (from basic to advanced) and promote a quality, inclusive, coherent and coordinated approach to the provision of digital skills across all levels of education and training (e.g. primary, secondary and tertiary including VET and adult learning)”. Pursuant to the call for evidence, the Proposal “will address the need for digital skills and contribute to the targets of the Digital Compass and to the one related to young people’s digital skills.” CPME provided feedback to the 2030 Policy Programme “Path to the Digital Decade”, and believes it is necessary to still highlight the following for the current call: 1. Digital literacy of patients and healthcare professionals is a crucial component of efficient and effective digital transformation in healthcare. 2. CPME recommends using the UNESCO’s definition on ‘digital skills’. These are defined as the ability to find, evaluate, use, share, and create content using digital devices (e.g., computers, smartphones, digital medical tools). 3. CPME further recommends recognising a health dimension within the definition of ‘basic digital skills’, where the user is aware and can understand risks related to health data sharing and when the digital use becomes an unhealthy behaviour (digital addiction). Sufficient links have been found between internet use and mental wellbeing, and concerns have been voiced that digital technologies and social media are exacerbating feelings of anxiety, depression, disturbing sleep patterns, leading to cyber-bullying, body image troubles, and disordered eating . Screen time and online gaming are also a source of concern. 4. European Doctors call for the health dimension to be part of a key performance indicator for attaining the basic digital skills target. Healthy living implies the physical, mental, spiritual and economic capacity to make healthy choices. It focuses on healthy eating, physical activity but also goes beyond to avoid addictive behaviours and being able to cope with life’s stresses and other mental health issues. An appropriate balance between the (increasing intensive) use of digital technologies, and the practice of health enhancing behaviours is required. 5. CPME strongly recommends that ICT professionals abide to ethically based codes of conduct and be subject to regulatory oversight and disciplinary sanctions. This would ensure that these specialists have an up-to-date competence, relevant to their field, and that they comply with professional obligations, reflecting a win-win strategic policy approach. 6. Sufficient guarantees must be put in place to ensure that this new generation of professionals meets high ethical standards and complies with professional obligations (e.g., confidentiality, protection of personal data, privacy, maintain the integrity and security of IT systems). Please see attached the adopted position with the precise references.
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European Doctors warn health data rules increase administrative burdens

20 Jul 2022
Topic — The consultation concerns a regulation creating a framework for sharing electronic health data.
Message — CPME demands informed consent for sensitive data and exemptions for small enterprises. They call for financial support to manage new digital infrastructure and administrative tasks.123
Why — Excluding small practices would protect doctors from significant financial and administrative burdens.4
Impact — Research organizations would have less health data available for secondary scientific studies.5
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Meeting with Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (Member of the European Parliament)

8 Jun 2022 · AI Act

European Doctors demand ban on veterinary use of critical antibiotics

17 May 2022
Topic — The EU is establishing a list of antimicrobials reserved exclusively for human medical treatments.
Message — CPME demands that antibiotics vital for human health are not authorized for veterinary use. They urge the Commission to review the classification of polymyxins and cephalosporins and establish a re-evaluation timeline.12
Why — Doctors would retain effective last-resort treatments for patients suffering from multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.34
Impact — Industrial farming operations would be forced to end the overuse of critical antibiotics.5
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Meeting with Stella Kyriakides (Commissioner) and Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union and

6 Apr 2022 · Meeting with European health professionals’ and paediatric associations to discuss COVID-19 vaccination of adolescents and children

Response to Brain drain communication

30 Mar 2022

With a view to your call for evidence, please see attached the CPME Policy on Health Workforce adopted by the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) in November 2021. We highlight in particular the chapters on mobility, ethical recruitment and working conditions for your consideration.
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Response to Recommendation for strengthened actions against antimicrobial resistance

23 Mar 2022

In preparation of the Commission proposal for a Council recommendation on AMR, please find below the European doctors’ feedback: In November 2020, CPME published the summary report about European doctors knowledge about antibiotics and AMR. The report is based on an ECDC survey, to which more than seven thousands doctors responded. In the context of the proposal for Council recommendation, we would like to emphasise the following findings: • doctors have a basic knowledge about prudent use of antibiotics and the risk of resistance • doctors are aware of their important role in providing advice on prudent antibiotic use to patients, but a lack of resources and insufficient time are barriers for doing so in practice • the uptake of antibiotic stewardship teams in hospitals needs to be increased so that knowledge about antibiotics is passed on to healthcare professionals and patients in a more systematic way • It needs to be ensured that doctors’ knowledge about resistance and prudent use remains up to date were • the most reliable and popular source of information about prudent use of antibiotics for doctors are published guidelines. Based on these findings, CPME would like to stress the importance of providing doctors with precise and updated guidelines for antibiotic treatment. Guidelines provide doctors with a basis for giving the correct antibiotic in the necessary quantity. At the same time the guidelines must indicate in which infections/cases of illness the patient may/must await natural recovery – and perhaps state how many days the patient must wait before consulting the doctor again. The guidelines can also be used as a tool to inform the general public when antibiotics should be used and when it should not be used. Thus, the guidelines could be used to decrease the public demand for antibiotics. The national guidelines on antibiotics – particularly those aimed towards primary care – should be followed to enshrine the following main principles: doctors should • diagnose the patient in person before prescribing antibiotics. Only in exceptional cases should antibiotics be prescribed by teleconsultation. • ensure that a relevant clinical and diagnostic examination is performed before initiating therapy • ensure that the patient most probably has a bacterial infection, and a real effect can be expected by treatment with antibiotics • choose a narrow-spectrum antibiotics as specific as possible as first choice. A decisive factor is that doctors have access to better and faster diagnostics. If the doctor has early confirmation of the patient’s diagnosis, it can be avoided that antibiotics are prescribed “to be on the safe side”. In addition, education and audit are important tools to reduce consumption. Regular antibiotic audits ought to be carried out both in the primary sector and in hospitals, and teaching must be implemented systematically and be integrated in tested and effective courses of education. Based on the above, CPME recommendations include: • member states should produce precise national clinical guidelines for antibiotic treatment or encourage the competent authority to do so • member states should strengthen doctors’ access to better and faster diagnostic and hereby develop a better guarantee of prompt and correct diagnosis • member states should prioritise education on and audit of the use of antibiotics • national medical associations should call on their governments to educate patients that antibiotics when prescribed must be taken long enough as prescribed and thus improve the compliance of the antibiotics treatment • doctors should follow the guidelines on the prudent use of antibiotics which means only prescribing antibiotics when necessary, and ensuring use in correct dose intervals and for the correct duration.
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Response to Policy Program - Digital Decade Compass

13 Dec 2021

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) represents national medical associations across Europe. We are committed to contributing the medical profession’s point of view to EU and European policy-making through pro-active cooperation on a wide range of health and healthcare related issues. CPME welcomes the establishment of the 2030 Policy Programme “Path to the Digital Decade” proposing a monitoring and cooperation mechanism between the Commission and Member States, among other aspects. CPME feedback focuses on the digital targets of Article 4 of the Proposal, in particular: A) Digitally skilled population and highly skilled digital professionals and B) Digitalisation of public services. Please see the integral CPME Feedback here: https://www.cpme.eu/wp-content/uploads/adopted/2021/12/CPME_AD_13122021_128_FINAL.CPME_.Feedback.Path_.Digital.Decade.2030.pdf As a brief summary: - ‘digital skills’ are not defined in the Proposal. A definition is needed in order to measure the performance in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI). - European Doctors call for an appropriate balance between the (increasing intensive) use of digital technologies, and the practice of health enhancing behaviours. A health dimension should be recognised within the definition of basic digital skills, i.e. the user is aware and can understand when the digital use becomes an unhealthy behaviour (digital addiction). The health dimension should be part of the key performance indicators for attaining the first digital target. - CPME strongly recommends that ICT professionals abide to ethically-based codes of conduct and be subject to regulatory oversight and disciplinary sanctions. This element should be part of the key performance indicators for attaining the second digital target. - European Doctors advise that when implementing the digital targets on healthcare services, patient safety, quality of care, clinical independence, patient empowerment and a potential digital divide must always be considered. - The digitalisation must not be imposed as the only available mean to access healthcare services. Telemedicine services are a useful additional tool in a number of clinical scenarios, but it is not without risk and it is not suitable for all scenarios. Face-to-face provision of healthcare services must remain the gold standard and telemedicine services should only be implemented where evidence supports an improvement in patient safety and quality of care. - The tenth digital target should not justify the closure of healthcare facilities in less-populated or under-served areas. Assurances must be given that digitalisation does not add to health inequalities and that it neither places patients in disadvantage or exacerbate same (e.g., poor access to the internet, poor digital skills, physical disabilities, homelessness, the effect of ageism or just being uncomfortable to discuss health conditions in a virtual environment). - Moreover, it cannot exclude patients’ expectations or preference for the traditional face-to-face patient-doctor relationship. Patient empowerment needs to be considered. - For the eleventh digital target, assurances must be given that this does not increase health inequalities and the digital divide. Furthermore, secure and stable platforms are needed to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality, and to obtain consent from legally incapable persons, including minors. Data concerning health needs to be encrypted.
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Response to Requirements for Artificial Intelligence

6 Aug 2021

Dear Madam/Sir, Please find attached in pdf the CPME Feedback on Commission Proposal for a Regulation on Artificial Intelligence. Kind regards, Annabel Seebohm Annabel Seebohm, LL.M. (Auckland) Secretary General Comité Permanent des Médecins Européens Standing Committee of European Doctors 15 Rue Guimard - 1040 Brussels tel: +32 2 732 72 02 mob: +32 477 8132 44 annabel.seebohm@cpme.eu www.cpme.eu The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) represents national medical associations across Europe. We are committed to contributing the medical profession’s point of view to EU institutions and European policy-making through pro-active cooperation on a wide range of health and healthcare related issues.
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European Doctors Demand Ingredient Labels on All Alcoholic Beverages

7 Jul 2021
Topic — EU revision of mandatory ingredient and nutrition labeling rules for alcoholic drinks.
Message — The organization calls for ending the exemption that allows alcoholic beverages above 1.2% alcohol to avoid listing ingredients and nutritional values. They want mandatory on-label disclosure for all alcoholic drinks, plus health warnings about pregnancy, driving, cancer risks, and age limits.123
Why — This would reduce their members' workload by lowering alcohol-related disease treatment costs.45
Impact — Alcohol producers lose marketing flexibility and face higher compliance costs from labeling requirements.67
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Response to Declaration of Digital Principles

7 Jun 2021

CPME Feedback on the Commission’s Roadmap on a Declaration of Digital Principles CPME welcomes the development of a set of digital principles shaping Europe’s digital society in the European way in a political declaration of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council. CPME highlights the following points: 1. The concept of ‘healthy living’ refers to the practice of health enhancing behaviours. It implies the physical, mental, spiritual, and economic capacity to make healthy choices. It focuses on healthy eating, physical activity but also goes beyond to avoid addictive behaviours and being able to cope with life’s stresses and other mental health issues.(1) 2. European Doctors advise caution on the intensive use of digital technologies in children and young people. Sufficient links have been found between internet use and mental wellbeing, and concerns have been voiced that digital technologies and social media are exacerbating feelings of anxiety and depression, disturbing sleep patterns, leading to cyber-bullying, body image troubles and disordered eating. (2) Screen time and online gaming are also a source of concern, (3) as well as self-harm and suicidal ideation, (4) child abuse and exploitation. (5) 3. To become effective, the principle of “Protecting and empowering children and young people in the online space”, the long-term impact on children and young people’s health, both physical and mental must be considered. The principle as it stands is very narrow, too reactive, and not sufficiently proactive. 4. European Doctors call for a broader and proactive principle that encompasses ‘prevention’ against the negative effects of the online space, reading as “Protecting and empowering children and young people in the online space and preventing the negative effects thereof”. This will ensure that children and young people are able to live healthy lives, which will in turn reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases. 5. European Doctors also call for the establishment of a right for a “clean data slate” at the age of 18. When children are old enough to understand the consequences of data collection, they should be granted the right to demand companies to delete any personal information collected about them, as data subjects, prior to their legal emancipation, safeguarding patient data as determined by the data subject him/herself. (6) 6. Moreover, CPME strongly recommends that IT professionals abide to ethically-based codes of conduct and be subject to regulatory oversight and sanctions. (7) As the European Commission is targeting to have by 2030 at least 20 million employed ICT specialists, (8) there needs to be sufficient assurances that this new generation of professionals meets high ethical standards and complies with professional obligations (e.g. confidentiality, protection of personal data, privacy, maintain the integrity and security of IT systems). 7. Finally, European Doctors advise caution on lack of alternatives other than digital. The digitalisation should not be imposed as the only available mean, procedure, or tool. Other forms should continue to subsist. ------- For references 1-8, please see document attached. The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) represents national medical associations across Europe. We are committed to contributing the medical profession’s point of view to EU and European policy-making through pro-active cooperation on a wide range of health and healthcare related issues.
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Meeting with Roberto Viola (Director-General Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

29 May 2021 · Presentation by CPME of work in the context of the COVID-19 crisis (virtual meeting)

Response to Evaluation and revision of the general pharmaceutical legislation

26 Apr 2021

Attached please find the feedback of the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) on the "Revision of the EU general pharmaceuticals legislation".
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Meeting with Sandra Gallina (Director-General Health and Food Safety)

19 Mar 2021 · CPME Conference on EU Vaccine Strategy

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

16 Feb 2021 · Pact for Skills roundtable with the representatives of the health sector.

Meeting with Thierry Breton (Commissioner) and

16 Feb 2021 · Pact for Skills roundtable with the representatives of the health sector

Response to A European Health Data Space

3 Feb 2021

On 2 February 2021, the CPME Executive Committee adopted the ‘CPME Statement on the Combined Evaluation Roadmap/Inception Impact Assessment on a European Health Data Space’ (CPME 2021/005 FINAL). CPME Statement on the Combined Evaluation Roadmap/Inception Impact Assessment on a European Health Data Space The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) represents national medical associations across Europe. We are committed to contributing the medical profession’s point of view to EU and European policy-making through pro-active cooperation on a wide range of health and healthcare related issues. CPME welcomes the development of a European Health Data Space to be used for health research and for improving health outcomes in relation to diagnosis and treatment of diseases. CPME takes the opportunity to highlight the following points that the future legislative proposal needs to address: 1. The proposal should define criteria for what is to be considered ‘innovation for the public good’. This is to avoid misuse and abuse when conducting innovative research. 2. Sector specific legislation for ‘augmented intelligence’ (AI) in the health area should exist. Training, testing and validation of AI in health require further consideration and, when a life of a human being is at stake, AI should always be intrinsically considered of high-risk. 3. In medical research, the principles of the Declarations of Helsinki (1) and Taipei (2) have to be complied with too. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is not sufficient to address the processing of health data for secondary purposes.(3) The Declarations are more exhaustive in relation to the right to information, the right to access the information about one’s health data, and requirements for consent and respective withdrawal limitations. Feedback of findings to the data subject is also desirable for transparency reasons and it may help promote support about the research by the community at large. The combined evaluation omits these important specifications. 4. The use of genetic data for insurance, credit, criminal justice, education or employment purposes should never be allowed. No one should be discriminated because of their genome. Ethical objections from patients against certain private entities need to be taken into account. Proper assurances have to be provided that human dignity and other fundamental rights are always respected when using genetic and health data. 5. The costs for the interoperability of patient data should not be borne by physicians as it may be detrimental to the general access to healthcare and undermine the physicians’ ability to provide the service. 6. Meaningless procedures that take time and resources should be avoided (e.g. introduction of new disease classification codes, adding to national and international ones). Coordination is required with national medical associations. ------- (1) WMA Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects, adopted by the 18th WMA General Assembly, Helsinki, Finland, June 1964 and as amended by the 64th WMA General Assembly, Fortaleza, Brazil, October 2013. (2) WMA Declaration of Taipei on Ethical Considerations Regarding Health Databases and Biobanks, adopted by the 53rd WMA General Assembly, Washington, DC, USA, October 2002 and revised by the 67th WMA General Assembly, Taipei, Taiwan, October 2016. (3) Processing health data for secondary purposes should be understood as processing patient data for other purposes than the purpose for which the data was originally collected, such as the treatment of the patient. Secondary purposes thus include health research, the development of new treatments, medicines, medical devices and services, and evidence-based health policy-making purposes.
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Meeting with Anthony Whelan (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

29 Jul 2020 · Digital issues

Response to Pharmaceutical Strategy - Timely patient access to affordable medicines

6 Jul 2020

Europe needs a pharmaceutical strategy that provides citizens with medicines they need at a price they are able to pay. The strategy must enable the EU to tackle the unaffordability of innovative therapies as well as shortages and other problems with the availability of off-patent medicines. It must ensure the innovation agenda is driven by public health needs, the R&D model is efficient, and safe and effective medicines are timely delivered to the patients. Moreover, it should promote and facilitate Member States’ cooperation e.g., in health technology assessment (HTA), price negotiations, contracting and procurement. Last but not least, the forthcoming strategy must make Member States and their health systems better prepared to effectively response to the future public health threats in light of the current pandemic. Over time, the trust in the pharmaceutical sector and its ability to promote the development of medical innovations while ensuring sustainable access has been eroded. The confidence in how that system works must be rebuilt. Transparency of publicly available information on inputs across the value chain of medicines and other health product must be enhanced, as stated by the WHO Member States i the resolution "Improving the transparency of markets for medicines, vaccines and other health products" from the 2019 World Health Assembly. European doctors agree with the roadmap that a strategy must be patient-centred. It must serve public interests and properly define the role of pharmaceutical industry as a contributor to public health, this includes improving the translation of research done by smaller innovative biotech companies into commercially exploited innovation. The roadmap provides a fair overview of the current problems the pharmaceutical system in the EU is confronted with. European doctors provide the attached recommendations.
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Meeting with Stella Kyriakides (Commissioner)

25 Jun 2020 · VC meeting: Exchange of views on the forthcoming Pharmaceutical Strategy

Meeting with Roberto Viola (Director-General Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

29 May 2020 · Digital contact tracing, impact of AI for health professionals (virtual)

Response to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan

25 Feb 2020

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) welcomes the European Commission roadmap on the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and its overall objective to improve the prevention, detection, treatment and management of cancer in the EU while reducing health inequalities between and within the EU member states. CPME believes that prevention is the most cost-effective long-term strategy for cancer control, and therefore agrees that the main prevention objectives of the plan should be to reduce smoking prevalence and alcohol consumption, to improve access to healthy diet, to reduce exposure to environmental risks, and to improve vaccination coverage against viruses linked to cancer. As potential instruments on prevention, the roadmap mentions the pivotal role of alcohol and tobacco taxation, the Farm to Fork strategy on affordable healthy food, and the Zero Pollution Strategy addressing pollution. CPME agrees that these instruments should be used in the first place but also suggests other measures to consider, such as alcohol and front-of-pack nutrition labelling, the EU Tobacco Products Directive, promotion of physical activity and equal access to sport for all, marketing restrictions for unhealthy foods and drinks, and promotion of vaccination strategies to eliminate cancers caused by hepatitis B and HPV. CPME also believes that primary healthcare systems should be established in a way that early detection and diagnosis are possible. Moreover, access to affordable innovative treatment should be enabled for all citizens.
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Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

11 Sept 2019 · EU Platform for action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health

Meeting with Roberto Viola (Director-General Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

12 Mar 2019 · Digital Health

Meeting with Anne Bucher (Director-General Health and Food Safety)

7 Feb 2019 · introductory meeting

Response to Establishing a legal limit for the industrial trans fats content in foods

10 Oct 2018

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) welcomes the European Commission’s draft Regulation amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 as regards trans fat, other than trans fat naturally occurring in animal fat, in foods intended for the final consumer. CPME supports the Commission’s proposal to set a maximum limit of trans fats of 2 grams per 100 grams of fat in foods. European doctors have been advocating for action on trans fats and have called for an EU-wide legislative limit as the most effective measure to protect the health of people across Europe. Limiting the proportion of trans fat in foods will certainly be an important step in that respect. CPME has also proposed that introducing mandatory labelling of the trans fats content of foods in the nutrition declaration on food labels would further help people to protect themselves.
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Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

14 May 2018 · Labelling of alcoholic beverages

Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

3 May 2018 · HTA

Response to Strengthened cooperation against vaccine preventable diseases

18 Dec 2017

The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) welcomes the Roadmap on strengthened cooperation against vaccine preventable diseases. CPME reaffirms that the prevention of communicable diseases through vaccination is safe and effective. CPME also encourages other health professionals associations to take clear positions to deliver facts about vaccination and increase awareness about the benefits of immunisation. To support this, the Roadmap could include an appeal to health professionals to become advocates to ensure good vaccination coverage across Europe.
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Meeting with Arunas Vinciunas (Cabinet of Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis), Paula Duarte Gaspar (Cabinet of Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis)

16 Mar 2017 · Securing the skills needed in the health sector

Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

2 Mar 2017 · Towards a renewed EU Alcohol and Health Forum

Meeting with Vytenis Andriukaitis (Commissioner) and

8 Nov 2016 · Health in all policies, AMR, health workforce, ERN

Meeting with Xavier Prats Monné (Director-General Health and Food Safety)

8 Jun 2016 · To discuss upcoming developments in EU health policy as well as present the Standing Committee of European Doctors.