|
What is the European Patients' Forum (EPF)? |
EPF is the umbrella organisation of pan-European patient organisations active in the field of European public health and health advocacy.
EPF was founded in 2003 to become the collective
patients’ voice at EU level, manifesting the solidarity, power and unity
of the EU patients’ movement. EPF currently represent
40 patients
organisations – which are chronic disease specific patient organisations
operating at EU level and national coalitions of patients organisations.
EPF’s vision is high quality, patient-centred, equitable healthcare for
all patients throughout the European Union.
EPF facilitates exchange of good practice and challenging of bad
practices on patients’ rights, equitable access to treatment and care,
and health-related quality of life between patient organisations at
European level and at Member state level.
|
Why was EPF created? |
During the G10 Process and the Review of the Pharmaceutical Legislation in 2001/2003, patient groups realised they were not appropriately represented at EU level and at the same time appreciated how difficult it was for the EU institutions to nominate a European patient representative.
EPF thus came into being in January 2003, as a direct response to calls by the European Commission and other EU institutions to have one pan-European patient body to address and consult on issues of interest to patients in the European healthcare debate.
