View from Brussels

Peter O'Donnell is a freelance journalist who specializes in European health affairs and is based in Brussels, Belgium.

Articles

Declarations made by Beate Wieseler don't align with those of many regulators and HTA bodies in Europe and will prove tough to transform.  

Gold Standards Remaining Gold Standards for Germany's HTA

Europe's research ministers are will meet to attempt to reach agreement on European Union research plans for the next seven years, including a cluster devoted to a broad range of health goals that range from general objectives to subjects of more specific interest to the community.

Europe Edges Towards a Health Research Plan

Though members of the industry have made reassuring comments about progress with candidate COVID vaccines, they acknowledge it could be next year, at best, before any real response would be available. 

Europe's COVID Vaccine Bids Still Veiled in Secrecy

EMA has launched a "communication perception survey" looking for honest views from among the widest audience on how well it is doing. 

EMA Looks to Its Image

Teenagers with cancer could benefit from a proposed initiative to lower the age barrier for participation in trials for new oncology drugs.

EU Specialists: Ease the Age Barrier for Cancer Clinical Trials

Social media uses transparency to highlight alleged gaps in clinical trial transparency and offers a more powerful approach to health campaigners.



Trial Non-Reporting a European as Well as U.S. Problem

Peter O’Donnell explores where the EU stands today in R&D pursuits for new antibacterial therapies.    

How to Boost Research for New Antibiotics—And How Not To

The regulatory path for virtual studies is nebulous and potentially difficult to navigate-finding a way forward requires a thorough understanding of the terrain and how to apply existing legal frameworks.

Virtual Clinical Studies: Finding a Path to Execution

Higher screen failure and patient dropout rates are raising the imperative to pilot and implement new study conduct models in trial recruitment and retention.

Can Recruitment and Retention Get Any Worse?

ClinOne Teams Up with Boston Children’s Hospital

A shift in emphasis in healthcare strategy could reduce attention and funding to therapy and impose tougher controls over research projects, or possible mean a boost for innovative healthcare. A look at where these trends may go.



Who’s Going to Be Disrupted by Shifts in European Health Strategy?

The two-year inquiry into possible maladministration at the EMA has intensified.



No End in Sight to European Debates About Drug Firms’ Influence on Regulators

The consequences UK faces after being pulled out of the EU without any healthcare and research deal may affect all of Europe.





The Growing Threat to Clinical Trials and Research in a Fracturing Europe

The World Health Organization tries to find a balance with its Road Map for Access on how to best approach research and pricing in Europe.

Navigating Drug Development Through More Turbulent Waters

As elections near, politicians in Europe make promises to prioritize the fight against cancer.

Weaponizing Cancer as a European Election Pledge

A statement from Europe’s drug industry and Europe’s medical societies calls for a “bold vision” to ensure proper funding and coordination for translational research. 

Challenges in Conveying Translational Research Message

Recent initiatives demonstrate that European health authorities are serious about combatting the proliferation of threats and opportunities from big data.


Cutting Big Data Down to Size in Europe

Survey uncovers deeper learnings of patient perceptions of clinical research and the motivations to participate.

The Patient Perspective on Clinical Trials

European Union faces a critical view on its pediatric drug development situation, highlighting a lack of treatment, infrastructure, reimbursement, and regulatory agreement.

It’s Not the Time to Relax on Pediatric Medicines R&D

All of Europe, from MEPs to WHO, aims to develop a comprehensive health policy, with a current priority on nutrition and physical activity.