The EPF is a pan-European umbrella group of patient groups active in the field of public health and health advocacy at the European level. The organisation was established in 2003 as a response to calls by the European Commission and other EU institutions to have one pan-European patient body to address and consult on issues of interest to patients in the European healthcare debate.
EPF is now the point of reference for the European Commission and the European Parliament. It collaborates with bodies such as the European Health Forum, the High-Level Pharmaceutical Forum, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
The Patient's Manifesto
The EPF in cooperation with its membership has developed a Manifesto and campaign titled “150 Million Reasons to Act” for the lead up to the European Parliament elections and the new Commission in 2009.
The purpose of the Manifesto is to obtain the support and commitment of MEPs, national MPs and EU policy-makers in 3 fundamental areas to improve the quality of health-care delivered to patients across the EU:- Equal and timely access to safe and effective diagnosis, treatments and support services
- Better information and resources for patients to be effective partners in determining their treatments and care
- A patients’ voice to be heard in Brussels and throughout the European Union.
TIF encourages all its European members to sign up to the Manifesto (this can be done here)
Health Literacy
Health literacy is more than the ability to read and comprehend written medical information and instructions. It has been recently defined as “the ability to make sound health decisions in the context of everyday life: at home, in the community, at the workplace, the health care system, the market place and the political arena.” Health literacy is an important focus area at European level and TIF is working with EPF to promote the integration of this concept in all health-related policy-making.
