ESMO wrote to newly appointed EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Mr. Olivér Várhelyi, as well as the Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, congratulating them on their new roles and presenting key recommendations to advance Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (BCP), in line with the ESMO Manifesto. The letters highlight ESMO's commitment to supporting the new Commissioners with achieving a healthier Europe through collaboration, expertise and innovation in oncology.
In its outreach to the Commissioners, ESMO underscored its readiness to work with the EU in tackling critical challenges, including regulatory reforms, fostering innovation, and ensuring equitable access to high-quality cancer care across Europe. ESMO also emphasised its pivotal role as a trusted partner in advancing evidence-based policies and shaping a future where every patient with cancer has access to the best possible treatments.
Moreover, to accelerate cancer research in Europe, ESMO recommended allocating a ring-fenced budget of at least €220 billion to the 10th EU Framework Programme (FP10) - the successor of Horizon Europe. Specific workstreams of FP10 could focus on multidimensional causes of rare cancers, personalised cancer therapies, and artificial intelligence (AI) support for clinical decision-making, amongst other key priorities.
Key additional proposals outlined include addressing bottlenecks in regulatory pathways, promoting innovative cancer treatments, and mitigating disparities in access to care. These initiatives align closely with the priorities of the BCP and reinforce ESMO's dedication to supporting patient-centred policies. The letter also conveyed ESMO’s willingness to engage in detailed discussions with Commissioners Várhelyi & Zaharieva, ensuring the oncology community’s voice is heard in shaping the EU’s health & research policy agendas.
For more updates on ESMO's advocacy efforts and policy initiatives, visit the ESMO policy webpage.