ESMO Policy News

The revision of the EU’s Asbestos at Work Directive is set to enhance the protection of workers in Europe against asbestos, which is a highly dangerous carcinogenic substance. ESMO’s efforts to establish a robust exposure limit of 1,000 fibres per m3 and use more modern measuring methods are reflected in the European Parliament’s position.

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) in the European Parliament adopted its Report on the revision of the European Union’s (EU) rules on work-related exposure to asbestos on Wednesday 26 April 2023

ESMO was invited to participate in the Open Session of the 24th WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines

The publication of the European Commission’s proposal to revise the EU’s pharmaceuticals legislation is a once in a generation opportunity to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of medicines in the EU

There is a need to improve the communication of the benefits and related uncertainties of anticancer drugs to patients and their clinicians, highlights an analysis of anticancer drugs granted a first marketing authorisation by the European Medicines Agency

Ahead of the launch of proposals to amend  the European Union’s (EU) legislation on pharmaceuticals, Prof Jean-Yves Blay, ESMO’s Director of Public Policy, recently gave an interview to POLITICO - a major news outlet covering developments in EU affairs and a must-read for policy makers

This year World Health Day, 7 April, marks the 75th Anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the European Parliament (EP) and Council of Ministers, discussions are currently progressing on the legislative proposal for establishing the European Health Data Space (EHDS).

At the meeting of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) held on 1 March 2023, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed their cross-party support for a reduced Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) to asbestos. 

ESMO is contributing to formulating an approach to a price structure for effective high-cost novel medicines

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) urged the EU legislators to adopt stricter limits on air pollution, aiming to prevent new lung cancer cases in Europe.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) highlighted the importance of increasing vaccination against Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in its response to a ‘Call for Evidence’ on vaccination against cancer-causing viruses.

ESMO Statement at the 152nd WHO Executive Board Meeting 

ESMO Statement at the 152nd WHO Executive Board Meeting

ESMO Statement at the 152nd WHO Executive Board Meeting

ESMO Statement at the 152nd WHO Executive Board Meeting

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has called on the Member States of the European Union (EU) to adopt stricter limits on air pollution, aiming to prevent lung cancer cases in Europe, following a recently launched proposal to revise the EU’s rules on ambient air quality.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has reached out to key Members of the European Parliament to underline the need for adopting strict EU limits on occupational exposure to asbestos, which is crucial for preventing cancer cases caused by asbestos.

Dr Dario Trapani has been appointed as ESMO’s lead representative in the Healthcare Professionals' Working Party (HCPWP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) responded to the recently launched public consultation on the revision of the EU’s Asbestos at Work Directive and called for the adoption of stricter measures to address the health-related impact of asbestos.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) responded to the EUnetHTA 21 public consultation on its draft deliverable D4.4 on ‘Endpoints’.

ESMO President, Solange Peters, was invited by the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, to provide an ESMO Statement on the resolution of the ‘Roadmap to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in the WHO European Region 2022–2030’

ESMO, together with 28 other organisations, endorsed a joint statement supporting the resolution on the ‘Regional digital health action plan for the WHO European Region’

ESMO, together with other organisations, endorsed a joint statement on the ‘Implementation of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in the WHO European Region 2016–2025: Progress report’

ESMO, together with other organisations, endorsed a joint statement on the resolution on the ‘WHO European framework for action to achieve the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities 2022–2030’

An ESMO statement was delivered by the ESMO Director of Public Policy, Rosa Giuliani, on the topic of ‘Follow-up to the political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases’ during the World Health Assembly (WHA75), 22-28 May 2022

An ESMO statement was delivered by the ESMO Director of Public Policy, Rosa Giuliani, on the topic of ‘The Public Health Dimension of the World Drug Problem’, during the World Health Assembly (WHA75), 22-28 May 2022.

An ESMO statement was delivered by the ESMO President, Solange Peters, on the topic of Human Resources for Health, during the World Health Assembly (WHA75), 22-28 May 2022.

ESMO delivered an official statement at the Special Session of the World Health Assembly to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response

The protection of cancer patients through immunisation against COVID-19 is a public health priority

Decide is the Health Decision Hub hosted by the World Health Organisation

ESMO has been granted ‘special consultation status’ with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

ESMO President Solange Peters and ESMO officers Paolo G. Casali and Elisabeth De Vries have been invited to speak at the virtual meeting [29 October] marking 25 years of EMA's strong commitment to protect public health with a focus on cancer

ESMO congratulated the United Nations on 75 years of achievements in defence of health as a human right which it celebrated in a virtual High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations on 21 September.

An ambitious European Programme of Work (EPW 2020–2025) – “United Action for Better Health in Europe” has just been adopted by WHO Europe at its virtual Regional Committee Meeting (14-15 September 2020)

WHO Guide ‘Selection of Essential Medicines at Country Level: Using the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines to update a national essential medicines list’

Biosimilars have a fascinating story of development, says Rosa Giuliani, and understanding it is crucial for widespread adoption.

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the world’s two leading organisations for oncology professionals, today issued a joint statement calling upon governments to renew political commitment to improve cancer services and reduce cancer deaths.

At the 71st World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, ESMO, the leading professional organisation for medical oncology, delivered two statements positioning cancer as a priority on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) global agenda.

Policy recommendations and concrete actions governments can take towards achieving the goals of the landmark World Health Assembly Resolution on ‘Cancer prevention and control within an integrated approach’ adopted unanimously by the 194 WHO Member States in May 2017. 

Launch Event: 17 May 2017 at the European Parliament

ESMO launches the first eUpdates for its world-renowned ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG)

Incredible steps being made by the African Palliative Care Association to improve access to pain medication in Africa

ESMO listed in the public registry of healthcare professionals' organisations eligible to work with the EMA