Several directives, such as the cross-border health care draft and the ‘pharmaceutical package’ are now on the Swedish agenda. But the new EU Presidency will also have to deal with the influenza H1N1, also known as swine flu, since the pandemic might claim more victims during the autumn, the official flu season. On 2 and 3 July, national experts will meet in Stockholm to discuss their experiences in dealing with the swine flu and the ministers of health will also take up this issue during their informal meeting, on 6 and 7 July. In the near future, member states could possibly agree on an EU-wide vaccination strategy, but according to diplomatic sources, it will be difficult for certain countries to give away their national competence in this field For the Swedes “good health is crucial for both economic and social reasons”. A healthy EU population will be needed both in the long-term given that the EU has a greying population and faces short-term “challenges” like unemployment, say the Swedes.

They aim to advance the negotiations on the cross-border health care directive1. However, the recent progress report by the Czech EU Presidency confirms that a lot remains to be agreed.

The new Presidency is hoping to make progress on the pharmaceutical package. However, it will leave the proposed regulation (revision of Regulation EC 726/2004) on information provided to the “general public” on prescription medicines untouched until further notice. Over 20 member states have indicated they do not see this particular part of the pharmaceutical package as a solid basis for negotiation. For the time being, the Swedes will continue work on the other Commission proposals, presented in December 2008. These look to combat counterfeit medicines, strengthen pharmacovigilance and ensure the provision of better information to patients (see Europolitics 3656). The first part, amending Directive 2001/83/EC, aims to strengthen the legal framework on pharmaceuticals to “better prevent” falsified medicinal products and the second (amending Directive 2001.83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004) to strengthen pharmacovigilance. Both have been welcomed by member states.

During the Presidency, the Commission is due to present its first progress report on the implementation of the alcohol strategy at national and European level. The Swedes, with their somewhat restrictive alcohol policy, will put alcohol prevention high on the agenda. Lastly, the issue of healthy and dignified ageing will be pushed forward by Sweden, with the aim of increasing opportunities for healthy and dignified ageing for older people in the EU through coordination and highlighting good practices in different EU member states.

(1) The draft directive’s aim is to ensure safe and high-quality health care for all patients; to help patients exercise their rights to cross-border health care; and to promote cooperation between health systems. In particular, the case law of the EU Court of Justice (ECJ) has to be codified, in order to create legal certainty on reimbursement of costs for health care received abroad.