Kristian Vigenin: Quality healthcare is achieved with well trained medics and innovation in people's interest

„Quality healthcare depends not only on the available medicines and hospitals but also on the development of education and science, on well trained doctors and medical staff to care for the sick.“ The comment was made by the head of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament Kristian Vigenin in Brussels during the discussion „Enhancing European pharmaceutical and biotechnology competitiveness and strategic autonomy“, organised by the British Chamber of Commerce. Taking part in the conversation were representatives of the European Commission, of academia and of business engaged in high technology and pharmaceutical innovation.

The MEP noted with concern that an insurance fund whose main aim is not health but patching up the budget often stands as an insurmountable obstacle between doctor and patient.

The challenges facing healthcare in Europe

Kristian Vigenin outlined some of the challenges in healthcare: „In Europe we face great differences in health systems, access to medical services is uneven, not only between countries but also within a single country such as Bulgaria. The shortage of medicines is a serious problem, and part of it is due to cumbersome approval procedures or to excessively high prices.“ The MEP pointed out that the absence of pharmacies in some settlements is also an enormous problem.

In Vigenin’s view, when innovation is discussed and how Europe is falling behind the USA and China in this respect, it must be borne in mind that innovation needs to lead to a better life for citizens and not be an end in itself. „When we talk about innovation in healthcare, we need more cooperation at European level and a real Health Union, not merely a single internal market“, he recommended.

Kristian Vigenin drew attention to the fact that while the new European Commission is awaited to be elected and start work, the world does not stop and the problems in the pharmaceutical industry and in healthcare pile up. He recalled that more rationality and responsibility are needed from the future European commissioner on the topic of competitiveness and innovation in healthcare.