The impact of immunisation goes beyond health – it is about prosperity, security, and economic development. Ensuring equitable access to vaccines is a global priority, and the European Union (EU) plays a leading role in this effort. In 2003, the EU first partnered up with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to strengthen global health systems and has continued […]
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Commission restricts Chinese participation in medical devices procurement
The European Commission decided to exclude Chinese companies from EU government purchases of medical devices exceeding €5 million. This measure follows the conclusions of the first investigation under the International Procurement Instrument (IPI), and allows no more than 50% of inputs from China for successful bids. This response is proportionate to China’s barriers, while ensuring that all the necessary medical devices […]
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The mystery of why diseases do not affect men and women in the same way
It is no secret that men and women face unique health challenges because of their genes. But to truly understand and address these challenges, are we relying too much on genetic factors that affect diseases, symptoms and health outcomes? Beyond genetics and medical factors, what role do other factors play in the evolution of our […]
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EU-Funded Scientist Awarded Shaw Prize for Breakthroughs in Advanced 3D Imaging Technology
Molecular biologist and European Research Council grantee Wolfgang Baumeister was awarded the Shaw Prize at a press conference held in Hong Kong on 27 May 2025. Director Emeritus and scientific member of the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Germany, Baumeister received this honour for his trailblazing work on the advancement of cryogenic-electron tomography (cryo-ET). […]
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Commission restricts use of chemicals to protect workers’ health
The Commission has restricted the use of the chemicals N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and 1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-one (NEP) to protect workers from exposure to these substances. DMAC and NEP are solvents used in many industrial processes, including the production of chemicals, coatings, cleaning agents and fibres. DMAC is commonly used to manufacture synthetic fibres and varnishes for electrical cables, […]
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Commission invests in innovative products against respiratory viruses
The European Commission, with the support of the European Investment Bank, will provide €20 million for the development of nasal sprays designed to protect against respiratory viruses. To this end, the Commission, through its Health Emergency Response and Preparedness Authority (HERA), has signed an investment agreement with Dutch biotech company Leyden Labs. Nasal sprays deliver […]
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European Commission welcomes opening of new EU-funded University Hospital in Melilla
On the 2nd, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, together with the President of the Autonomous City of Melilla, Juan José Imbroda, and the Minister of Health of the Spanish Government, Mónica García, inaugurated the new University Hospital of Melilla. Irina Vasiliu, a political analyst, attended the event on behalf of the European […]
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European Week Against Cancer: providing patients with high-quality healthcare
Each and every EU citizen deserves the very best in cancer care. As it is marked the European Week Against Cancer (25-31 May), the European Commission reaffirms its commitment to achieve a European health union that delivers high-quality healthcare for all. Already through its Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission has provided support to millions of people […]
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Could we live without pain?
“There are people who live without pain,” says Treede, a neurophysiologist at the University of Heidelberg. “They have been known to exist for centuries. Insensitivity to pain, known as analgesia, is thought to be caused by a group of rare genetic diseases. However, being immune to pain does not mean being immune to injury. For […]
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