A question of health

The Finnish EU presidency will have to manage several key health challenges.

Top of the list are ongoing plans to prepare for a possible pandemic in Europe, perhaps derived from avian influenza. Governments this month rejected plans to stockpile antiviral drugs in case of a pandemic, to the disappointment of Finland and Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou. The debate is however likely to come up again during the Finnish presidency. EU-World Health Organisation (WHO) pandemic preparedness plans are also still being finalised.

A European Commission strategy on alcohol and young people is also set to be published before Christmas. Finland is keen to see tougher alcohol laws in Europe and plans to discuss raising alcohol taxes with member states during the presidency.

Finally, Helsinki hopes to negotiate a first reading political agreement on cutting-edge tissue engineering legislation and on standards for medical devices.

The Finnish EU presidency will have to manage several key health challenges.