Building on  the success of our previous conferences, the European Patients’ Forum is hosting a third EU conference on 20^th-21^st March 2007 in Brussels.  The themes for this year’s meeting include: the empowerment of patients and their role at EU level; ‘the Informed Patient’; and ‘the sustainability of patient organisations into the future’.

High level speakers with a wide range of EU expertise and experience will stimulate discussion and result a call for action at various levels to enhance the patients’ opportunity to be heard and impact in the policy debate.

EPF has invited all its member organisations and patient group allies, together with national patient representatives from a representative platform or coalition from all 27 Member States. Crucially, other health stakeholder allies and partners with whom we work together in Brussels, including representatives from the  EU Institutions health professional organisations, industry federations, health NGOs, agencies and think-tanks will participate and contribute their views and ideas on how patients group can be most effective.

Please find attached:

EPF Spring Conference 2007 Programme

A full conference report is available in Publications section
 

Presentations
Introduction Mr Anders Olauson, EPF	The Regulatory Perspective: What Role Should the EMEA Perform With Regard to the Provision of Information on Medicines? Mr Noel Wathion, The European Medicines Agency
The Empowered Patient: A benefit or a liability? Dr. Daniel Mart, President of CPME	Empowering patients across Europe: an economic perspective. Mr. David Mc Daid, London School of Economics
Patient organisations - standing and funding. Richard Bergström, Swedish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry	The prevailing environment in 2017. How well informed will patients be ten years from now and from what sources will information be available? Dr. Ilona Kickbusch, Senior Health Policy Advisor and WHO Consultant.
Workgroup: Who really represents patients Facilitator: Ms Mel Read Rapporteur: Mr Mike O’Donovan	Workgroup: Is ignorance bliss or is an informed patient a sound economic investment? Facilitator: Mr Jorgo Chatzimarkakis Rapporteur: Mr Jean Georges
Workgroup: Are patient organisations viable and sustainable? If so, by whom? Facilitator: Ms Celine van Doosselaere Rapporteur: Mr Rodney Elgie	The Patients’ Perspective Ms Susanna Palkonen, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Disease Patients’ Associations
Conclusions Ms Nicola Bedlington, EPF Director