Medicines shortages, how the EU can ensure access to innovative medicines and address shortages for all European citizens is one of three key issues that will be the focus of the Council of Health Ministers in Brussels, Deputy Health Minister, Irini Agapidaki upon her arrival. Mrs Agapidaki also focused on childhood obesity.

“It is an honor for our country to be able to present the childhood obesity program to all member states and to be able to contribute in this way to dealing with this social scourge, which is related to social inequalities in health”, said the Deputy Minister of Health, while also emphasizing the need for “early and effective access to health services that also concern prevention and treatment”.

Specifically, Mrs. Agapidaki stated:

“We are very happy today because three issues are being discussed in the Council of Health Ministers, which have a great deal to do with social justice.

The first concerns drug shortages and how the European Union can ensure access in innovative medicines, to address shortages for all European citizens.

The second concerns mental health. We have all experienced post-Covid an uptick in mental health issues, especially among children and adolescents.

The third issue is an honor for our country, to be able to present the childhood obesity program to all member states and to be able to contribute in this way to addressing this social scourge, which is related to social inequalities in health. And I say this because very often poorer households have higher rates of chronic diseases linked to childhood obesity. So we have three pillars: Medicine, mental health, social inequalities in health, which are related to what is fair and right for all European citizens: Timely and effective access to health services that concern both prevention and treatment.”