Hungary highlighted demographic challenges and health issues it considers 'neglected' in its priorities for the EU Council presidency. Hungary will aim for EU level agreements on countering cardiovascular disease and organ donation as well as progressing new pharmaceutical legislation, according to the programme setting out priorities for its presidency of the EU Council. The document published this week in advance of Hungary's six-month stint at the helm of the Council - it replaces Belgium on 1 July - also cited rare diseases, links between mental health and various emergencies and cooperation on affordability of medicines as areas of focus.
On medicine affordability, Hungary aims to settle negotiations on some of the more complex issues including drug shortages, incentives and marketing authorisation processes, an EU diplomat told a conference in Brussels on Wednesday (19 June). The diplomat also mentioned the EU action on tobacco and alcohol consumption which has seen some of its main initiatives delayed in the last months and added that Hungary is awaiting the of the 2009 Council recommendation on smoke-free environments. The European Commission first envisioned issuing a recommendation to the Council in January 2024 before being delayed without a date being set for its presentation.
The work program also addressed labour shortages as the “greatest employment challenge in the European Union” affecting all sectors and regions. While shortages of workers are being seen.
