Thomas Mangin | Apr 25, 2025
Critical Medicines Act just one topic out of more than 15 measures to get committee’s attention.
The European Parliament’s Health Committee (SANT) plans to work on more than 15 topics during its mandate in addition to major files such as the pharma package or the Critical Medicines Act, the draft work programme obtained by Euractiv shows.
The draft programme, which still needs to be adopted at the next meeting of the political groups' coordinators, outlines that SANT members are expected to publish reports on modernised rules for cross-border healthcare, an EU plan for rare diseases and a comprehensive strategy for women’s health.
The programme also foresees transforming the implementation study on the EU Beating Cancer Plan into a full report. Another report will focus on cardiovascular diseases, supported by a newly launched working group of 16 MEPs set up on Wednesday.
Work will also continue on the report addressing biotechnology and life sciences. The European Commission announced after several delays that a legislative proposal on the topic will be presented in the third quarter of 2026.
Additional reports should follow at a later stage, notably on a strategy for neurological health, the document says. Hearings are planned on this topic. A report on mental health will also be prepared, with SANT intending to highlight research into adolescent mental health in the social media era.
An own-initiative report on a crisis plan for the EU health workforce will be released as well. It will address the sustainability of healthcare systems, as well as employment and working conditions in the sector.
SANT is expected to produce a report on implementing the Council Recommendation on stepping up EU action to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within a "One Health" framework. Hearings are also planned on this topic, as well as on cross-border clinical trials.
The SANT Committee should also cooperate with the Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) on the health impacts of fine particulate matter.
Additionally, SANT could be called to work with the Industry Committee (ITRE) on the Critical Medicines Act. While the text is not yet included in the official programme, it is expected to be one of the most significant files of the mandate.
There are negotiations underway between SANT - designated as the lead committee - and ITRE, which is emphasising the industrial aspect of the legislation and seeking shared responsibility.
The issue will be decided at the next Conference of Presidents of the political groups, scheduled for 30 April. According to Euractiv’s information, the file could be split between the two committees.
The pharma package will also take centre stage in SANT’s activities. The Council of the EU still needs to adopt its position before inter-institutional negotiations can begin. The Parliament has already adopted its position, and the mandate to start negotiations is expected to be approved at SANT’s next session in early May.
Although several MEPs have pushed over recent months for the European Commission to revise legislation on tobacco products and taxation, the topic is not mentioned in the work programme.
“We want the Commission to open the topic and table a proposal before the end of the mandate,” a parliamentary source told Euractiv. | 