Developing ESMO political activities at EU level: the role of the Political Office in Brussels

The ESMO Political Activities Office in Brussels:

• Promotes the recognition of medical oncology as an independent medical specialty at the EU level
  
• Provides EU political information in order to guide ESMO policy and develop strategy so that ESMO can meet the shared needs and objectives of its members and of the oncology community
• Pro-actively raises awareness about cancer and cancer-related issues within the European institutions
• Interacts with EU decision-makers to position oncology on the EU political agenda
• Ensures that ESMO is identified as an authoritative source of expertise and is positioned in the key EU platforms
• Establishes alliances with key stakeholders active in oncology.

In this way the ESMO political office in Brussels contributes to ESMO's mission to promote the development, funding and positioning of oncology in Europe in order to:

• Assure all cancer patients access to optimal diagnosis, treatment and care
• Reduce inequalities in cancer treatment outcomes throughout Europe and eventually worldwide.

The ESMO Political Office monitors political developments in order to identify those which may:

• Create opportunities for ESMO members
• Impact the oncology community

Accordingly, ESMO develops strategic priorities in order to influence the process, decision-making and outcome of these developments.

ESMO activities regarding the EU health policy

Recognition of medical oncology

• Who are medical oncologists? 

Medical oncologists are trained in the management of cancer patients and deliver cancer therapies.
Medical oncologists work as part of the integrated, multidisciplinary team and play a pivotal role in liaising with primary care, clinical oncologists, and other medical and surgical specialists in the cancer center and unit.

• ESMO Mission

ESMO works actively for the recognition of medical oncology as an independent medical specialty at the EU level: 

• To assure all cancer patients have access to optimal treatment and care
• Because high-level qualification is a way to ensure high-quality treatment
• To assure the recognition of high professional qualification
• To help to spread and share knowledge, experience, and expertise

The Committee for the recognition of professional qualifications has the responsibility to vote on this matter.

• ESMO's approach

ESMO works in close relationship with:

• ESMO national opinion leaders, ESMO National Representatives
• Several national authorities
• The European Commission

Medical Oncology title and training in the Member States

B. Zakotnik, Meeting on the implementation of Directive 2005/36/EC on the  recognition of professional qualifications, organized by the European Commission, 29 June 2007, Brussels

ESMO position statement on the 'Consultation regarding Community Action on Health Services' in 2006

The statement provides overall considerations and specific responses by ESMO to nine questions regarding cross-border healthcare in EU Member States.

ESMO comments on the 'Consultation regarding draft report on current practice with regard to provision of information to patients on medicinal products in accordance with art. 88a of Directive 2001/83/EC as amended by Directive 2004/27/EC on the Community Code relating to medicinal products for human use'

The document includes global assessment of the draft report, general comments and suggestions.

ESMO comments on the 'Public consultation regarding a European Action in the Field of Rare Diseases' (Rare Diseases: Europe's Challenges)

The document includes answers to the 14 specific questions identified in the text and mainly focuses on rare tumors where necessary.

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ESMO has contributed to a public consultation organized by the European Commission in February–April 2008, and provided comments on the legal framework for information to patients

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ESMO statement on the European Parliament Resolution on combating cancer in an enlarged European Union

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ESMO collaboration with the EU Council Presidency

The Presidency of the Council plays an essential role in organizing the work of the institution, particularly in promoting legislative and political decisions. It is responsible for organizing and chairing all meetings, including the many working groups, and for brokering compromises.

• EU Portuguese Presidency July-December 2007

During this period the health program of the Presidency focuses on the topic of health and migration.

• Roundtable on Health Strategies in the European Union - The Importance of addressing the issue of Cancer
  

The Roundtable (Lisbon, 12-13 July 2007) has been organized in close collaboration with ESMO for those agenda topics related to cancer issues. The ESMO Foundation provided the financial support for this key European meeting.

The Portuguese representatives, ESMO, the experts and the key forces who gathered in Lisbon have called upon the European institutions to put cancer on the political agenda as a priority and the national governments to develop policies including a strategy for prevention and control of cancer.
 
ESMO will support the implementation of these recommendations at the national level. It will also continue to support the Portuguese efforts to make this initiative a determinant force in the fight against cancer in Europe and a first step towards the recognition by European authorities of these recommendations. 

• EU Slovenian Presidency January-June 2008

The Republic of Slovenia is paying special attention to the fight against cancer. ESMO joined its efforts with Slovenia to tackle cancer in EU policies and activities by participating in the European Conference "The burden of cancer - How can it be reduced?" with a presentation by former ESMO President, Paris A. Kosmidis, on working in multidisciplinary teams in integrated care.