Sector & service specialists

The healthcare industry is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries. Consuming over 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) of most developed nations, healthcare forms an enormous part of the EU’s economy. The healthcare industry is made up of two main groups: healthcare equipment and services; and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and related life sciences. Europe’s pharmaceutical sector employs some 750,000 people and generates three to four times more employment indirectly. Medical technology is also a major contributor to the EU economy, employing over 650,000 people in high quality jobs in a market estimated at around €110 billion.

As healthcare concerns human health, it is one of the most regulated industry sectors and gives rise to one of the most vibrant Brussels public affairs communities. By far the biggest spenders on public affairs are the 40 leading pharmaceutical companies who are members of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. In second place are the Diagnostics and Medical Devices manufacturers represented collectively by MedTech Europe.

EU countries hold primary responsibility for organising and delivering health services and medical care. EU health policy therefore serves to complement national policies, and to ensure health protection in all EU policies.  However, COVID-19 has brought the EU’s health policy into sharp focus and fostered joint actions such as vaccine procurement.  Indeed, since the beginning of the pandemic, the EU has been working with member states to reinforce national healthcare systems and limit the spread of the virus. It has been coordinating action at EU level based on the best available science and giving recommendations to EU countries on public health measures.

Healthcare lobbyists will be kept busy as the European Health Union will focus on both urgent and long-term health priorities, from the response to the COVID-19 crisis and resilience to cross-border health threats, to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe and digital health. The EU will also continue to pursue international cooperation on global health threats and challenges such as antimicrobial-resistant infections and vaccination.