Warsaw aims to expand the digitalisation of e-health care while reducing the risks associated with it and with the omnipresence of the internet in Europeans’ everyday lives.
Poland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January. EUPerspectives has looked into Warsaw’s agenda for the next six months see what its priorities are, as well as its attitudes towards legislative inititatives which have already been launched – and have all too often been passed on from one presidency to another.
The digitalisation of health care is one of the key intended areas of Warsaw’s focus. This is expected to entail the development of electronic cross-border health services following up on the European Health Data Space project, or EHDS.
These steps, however, will have to go hand in hand with adequate security measures. “Taking into account the dynamic development of the medical devices market, especially those requiring certification and processing sensitive medical data, as well as the changing external situation related to the war in Ukraine, the Presidency will initiate a debate on more stringent regulating of medical device cybersecurity in EU legislation,” the Poles pledge. “The Presidency will also be ready to discuss the announced action plan on cybersecurity for hospitals and healthcare providers,” the programme also states.
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The risks of the digital age
Reducing mental health risks for children and adolescents is another key task, as the rapid rise of digital technologies and social media presents risks that call for immediate response, Warsaw claims. “Particularly challenging for all Member States are the threats posed by the intensive use of the Internet, including information and communication tools and platforms, and above all social media,” as the Polish Presidency’s Programme puts it.
Therefore, Warsaw intends to conduct a debate on the risks posed by digital technologies. It will include the matter in Council conclusions with the aim of protecting the young generation’s mental health and promoting a healthy environment for the digital age.
The European Parliament’s Public Health Subcommittee, or SANT, held a public hearing on the impact of social media on children and adolescents in November 2024. Luisa Fassi, a PhD student at the University of Cambridge, presented the state of research in the field. Describing her research work elsewhere, she says: “We found a positive, significant yet small meta-correlation between social media use and internalising symptoms, both for time spent and user engagement.”
Prevention is another health-care priority area for the Polish Presidency. “In the context of new challenges and threats to public health, there is a growing need for an in-depth analysis of the actual effects of health promotion and disease prevention programmes and tools,” the programme states.
“The main objective of the activities of the Polish Presidency in this area is to discuss the effectiveness of strategies and programmes implemented in the member states. The process is to include the preparation of a catalogue of good practices, and is to propose actions at the EU and national level.
“The goal is to promote pro-health behaviours, and to present specific proposals to improve disease prevention,” the programme reads.
The key role of drug security
Secure access to medicines remains one of the most significant areas of interest. Warsaw will therefore focus on the diversification of medicines supply chains and support for their production in the EU. Secure access to medicines remains one of the most significant areas of interest. Warsaw will therefore focus on the diversification of medicines supply chains and support for their production in the EU. “The Presidency will continue to work on the revision of pharmaceutical legislation, in the spirit of increasing security of supply and ensuring the availability and affordability of medicines,“ the Presidency’s document promises.
The European Parliament already adopted its position on the so-called pharmaceutical package last April. Since then, it has been waiting for the EU Council to agree on a position. The negotiations could enter this phase during the current Presidency – even if probably only near the end of it, people close to the talks told EUPerspectives.
Poland has assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the period from January to June 2025. It is an important role as Warsaw will coordinate the EU agenda, lead negotiations between the member states, and represent the EU Council at international level.
