European Patients Forum, logo.

Who supports us?

Campaign Supporters as of 15 May, 2014

The EPF Manifesto has received the support of more than 700 signers!  Of these, 255 have made a non-anonymous declaration of their support by signing our online manifesto and are listed below.

Members of the European Parliament

34 MEPs have already committed to including a patients’ perspective in their work in the coming mandate.  All MEP supporters are listed below.

ALDE

  • MEP Nathalie Griesbeck (France)

    “I support the European Patients’ Forum Manifesto, « Patients + Participation = Our Vote for a Healthier Europe » as being a patient is difficult enough without lacking support and a voice on subjects that concern patients directly.  Each patient must have access—without any discrimination whatsoever—to equitable and high-quality health and social services.  The opinions and experience of chronic disease patients must become the key ideas in defining policies that are dedicated to them.  Patients are the ones that know best what works for them and what doesn’t. They  know their needs and can identify the areas and markets best for innovation.  Because of their frequent encounters with healthcare services, patients are the true experts of the healthcare system.  I so declare today that a Europe that is in good health and listens to its patients will be able to meet the number of challenges that lie ahead.”  -MEP Griesbeck

EFD

  • MEP Rolandas Paksas (Lithuania)

EPP

  • MEP Heinz K. Becker (Austria)

“The demographic developments in our society--with the increasing life expectancy, the growing number of older persons and reducing number of young people due to the reduction of birth rates--are the key challenges of our society. All this has become the object for the discussion in politics on political levels.  That is why I find this manifesto a very, very worthy and helpful tool to foster the future challenges in the successful way.” –MEP Becker

  • MEP Ivo Belet (Belgium)
  • MEP Therese Comodini Cachia (Malta)
  • MEP Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech (Malta)
  • MEP Kinga Gal( Hungary)
  • MEP Sean Kelly (Ireland)
  • MEP Andrey Kovatchev  (Bulgaria)
  • MEP Miroslav Mikolasik (Slovakia)
  • MEP David McAllister (Germany)
  • MEP Alojz Peterle (Slovenia)

    “I have been very active in promoting health and prevention since my first election to the EP (2004). I will continue in the same spirit in the next legislature - for more and better health for all EU citizens. My office is and will stay open for patient's organizations. I count on your active support!” -MEP Peterle

  • MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen (Finland)
  • MEP Czesław Siekierski (Poland)
  • MEP Tadeusz Zwiewka (Poland)

G-EFA

  • MEP Jean Lambert (UK):

“I decided to support the [EPF 2014 Elections] campaign because, increasingly in terms of healthcare policy, we are hearing about the need for people to take responsibility for their healthcare.  We‘re hearing concerns about people who are not compliant with their medication or their healthcare regime, and you begin to feel that all of this is telling people what they should be doing... Where is the voice of the people who are also engaged in this proccess? Patients are not passive individuals to whom things happen; they‘re active people.  They are people who are actively—should be actively—engaged within determining their own healthcare.“ –MEP Lambert

  • MEP Bart Staes (Belgium)

GUE-NGL

  • MEP Marisa Matias (Portugal)

Non-Inscrit

  • MEP Nessa Childers (Ireland)

S&D

  • MEP Eric Andrieu (France)
  • MEP Biljana Borzan (Croatia)

    "As a medical doctor and a healthcare professional I am convinced that patients and patient organisations must be fully included in prevention, diagnoses, treating and recovery. No one can give a better input on how to improve our healthcare than the people that are being treated by it. Their feedback is valuable and must be taken in consideration when formulating healthcare policy. As a member of the Committee on environment, public health and food safety I always had patient welfare in mind and I promise that will not change." -MEP Borzan

  • MEP Elisa Ferreira (Portugal)
  • MEP Eugen Freund (Austria)
  • MEP Karin Kadenbach (Austria)

  • “We have to give the patients the opportunity to help improving healthcare systems because it is not only good for patients but also for healthcare.” –MEP Kadenbach

  • MEP Giorgios Grammatikakis (Greece)
  • MEP Jude Kirton-Darling (UK)
  • MEP Pavel Poc (Czech Republic)
  • MEP Miroslav Poche (Czech Republic)
  • MEP Martin Schulz (Germany), S&D Common Candidate for Commission President

"Creating a healthier Europe for all citizens remains a fundamental goal. It can be achieved through a combination of European and national policies. These policies must preserve the European social model by counteracting austerity-only policies that threaten national health budgets. At the same time, they must encourage Member States to use instruments at EU level such as the Health Programme and the Horizon 2020 so as to increase investments in research and innovation. I also want to engage patient organisations in the policy-making process through a transparent and comprehensive framework that will allow for better designed and more efficient health policies that adequately address current challenges." MEP Martin Schulz

  • MEP Jutta Steinruck (Germany)
  • MEP Patrizia Toia (Italy)
  • MEP Catherine Trautmann (France)
  • MEP Glenis Willmott (UK)

All Supporters of EPF Campaign

 

Argentina:

  • Eduardo Perez Pegué

Austria:

  • Heinz K. Becker, MEP (EPP)
  • Eugen Freund, MEP (S&D)
  • Karin Kadenbach, MEP (S&D)
  • Gottfried Wolfgang Sommer
  • Angelika Werthmann, Former MEP (ALDE)

Azerbaijan:

  • Rufet Mammaduhanli, Association of Young Azerbaijani Professionals in Europe  (AYAPE)

Belgium:

  • American Chamber of Commerce
  • Laura Batchelor, Fipra
  • Birgit Beger, Standing Committee of European Doctors
  • Nicola Bedlington, European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Ivo Belet, MEP (EPP)
  • Elena Bertozzi, Burson-Marsteller
  • Anna Blyth, Burson-Marsteller
  • Cynthia Bonsignore, European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Valeria Botta, Edelman
  • Helen Brewer, European Critical Care Foundation
  • Davide Carrino, Edelman
  • Natalie Chaze, DG SANCO
  • Vincent Clay, Pfizer EU Representation Office
  • Annelisa Cotone , European Commission
  • Lima D'Amico, Caritas Belgium
  • Daniel Fernandez Buckley, Andalusian Water Agency
  • Camille Bullot, European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Heather Clarke, European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA)
  • Anne Delvaux, Former MEP (EPP)
  • Stefan Gijssels, Janssen Pharmaceutica
  • Ingrid Heyne, European Forum for Good Clinical Practice (EFGCP)
  • Renée Jopp, International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
  • Jean Lahaul
  • Marou Michel, PM Public Affairs
  • Kerrita McClaughlyn, Edelman
  • Jan Meissner, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’
  • Associations (EFA)
  • Rebecca Muller, GAMIAN Europe
  • Annika Nowak, DG SANCO
  • Katharina Ossenberg, Fipra
  • Cristina Padeanu, European Patients' Forum (EPF)
  • Susana Palkonen, European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases
  • Patients’ Associations (EFA)
  • Philip Rye, European Biopharmaceutical Enterprises (EBE)
  • Clarissa Spencer, European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Laurène Souchet, European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Bart Staes, MEP (G-EFA)
  • Kari Staig, DG SANCO
  • Valentina Strammiello, European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Bernard Merkel, DG SANCO
  • Chiara Tomasi, Burson-Marsteller
  • Julie Valente, Burson-Marsteller
  • Caroline Vrancken, Burson-Marsteller
  • Peter Windey, European Patients’ Forum (EPF)

Bulgaria:

  • Milen Anastasov, Bulgarian Society of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension (BSPPH)
  • Stoilka Atanasova, Association of Patients with Kidney Disease and Friends (APBZ)
  • Bilana Angelova, Bulgarian Limfom Organisation
  • Momchil Baev, Center Amalipe
  • Ivan Dimitrov, Regional Government
  • Lyobomir Dimitrov 
  • Aneta Draganova, National Patients’ Association (NPO)-Youth Group
  • Silvi Gavrailov, National Patients’ Association (NPO)
  • Martin Georgiev, National Patients’ Association (NPO)
  • Ivana Ivanova Georgieva, Freelance journalist
  • Mitka Georgieva
  • Diana Hadzhiangeova, Coalition of Health Protections (KZZ)
  • Stanimir Hasardzhiev, National Patients’ Association (NPO) and European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Simona Iganova, National Patients’ Association (NPO)-Youth Group
  • Nevena Ilieva
  • Tatqna Ivancheva, MS Bulgaria
  • Zlatka Jelyazkova, VIOMIvan Ivanov, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency
  • Ekaterina Karamfilova 
  • Petko Dimitrov Kenanov, Coalition of Health Protections (KZZ)
  • Martin Kojinkov 
  • Andrey Kovatchev, MEP (EPP)
  • Natalia Maeva, Bulgarian Society of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension (BSPPH)
  • Valentina Maeva, Bulgarian Society of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension(BSPPH)
  • Malinka Mihova, Association of Parents with Children with Epilepsy
  • Vesela Mirkova, Attorney at Law
  • Milena Naneva, Bulgarian Society of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension (BSPPH)
  • Lyubomir Naydenov, Bulgarian Society of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension (BSPPH)
  • Dr. Antonyia Parvanova, Former MEP (ALDE)       

    “I absolutely welcome the EPF campaign as this is a strong preparation for the commitment of EU politicians in issues that have been for many years neglected.” Former MEP Parvanova

  • Pavel Pavlov, National Patients’ Association (NPO)-Youth Group
  • Yolita Pavlova Pavlova, Coalition of Health Protections (KZZ)
  • Lilya Petkova 
  • Milena Petrova 
  • Rossen Popov, National Patients’ Association (NPO)-Youth Group
  • Yuliana Popova, Stanton Chase
  • Maria Prodanova, National Patients’ Association (NPO)
  • Todor Raykov, National Patients’ Association (NPO)
  • Dr. Nina Sefanova-Borova, Political Party Reformatorski Blok
  • Maria Silyanovska
  • Sonya Slaveykova
  • Martin Slavov, FPBF
  • Sasho Stankov 
  • Mariyana Stankova 
  • Maria Stefanova, Bulgarian Society of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension(BSPPH)
  • Bonka Stojneva , Bulgarian Society of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension (BSPPH)
  • Hrizamtema Stancheva, National Patients’ Association (NPO)
  • Rositsa Todorova
  • Marian Tompv, National Patients’ Association (NPO)
  • Despina Yanusheva, National Patients’ Association (NPO)
  • Dragos Zaharia 

Croatia:

  • Biljana Borzan, MEP (S&D)
  • Iva Jovovic
  • Iva Musa, Student
  • Dubravka Suica, MEP (EPP)
  • Renata Zugic, Pharmacist

Cyprus:

  • Erkin Salih, Elections Candidate
  • Polis Stavrou, International Diabetes Federation (IDF)-European Region
  • Antigoni Papadopoulou, Former MEP (S&D)
  • Nicolas Violaris, European Parliament

Czech Republic:

  • Mirsoslav Poche, MEP S&D)

Denmark:

  • Esther Davidsen, Regional Government
  • Christian Hogedal Kjolhede, Elections Candidate
  • Kirsten Lerstrom, Lupus Europe

Finland:

  • Sari Essayah, Former MEP (EPP)
  • Susanna Palkonen, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases
  • Patients Associations (EFA) and European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Sirpa Pietikäinen, MEP (EPP)

France:

  • Eric Andrieu, MEP (S&D)
  • Quentin Dickinson, Elections Candidate
  • Annette Dumas, Alzheimer Europe (AE)
  • Nathalie Griesbeck, MEP (ALDE)
  • Odile Harvey, EU Journalist
  • Etienne Maury, European Parliament
  • Sébastian Poupon, Elections Candidate
  • Catherine Trautmann, Former MEP (S&D)

    “I wish to create better access to quality healthcare—without discrimination and at an affordable cost.” -Former MEP Trauttman

  • Guy Verdot, Epidermolyse Bulleuse Association d'Entraide (EBAE)
     

Germany:

  • Jan Geissler, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Advocates Network
  • David McAllister, MEP (EPP)
  • Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, Former MEP (S&D)

    “The campaign of the European Patients’ Forum is more than welcome because health policies is still a point in the European politics to be developed and that patients are often the weakest part of the chain” MEP Dagmar Roth-Behrendt

  • Martin Schulz, MEP (S&D) and Candidate for President of the European Commission
  • Jutta Steinruck, MEP (S&D)
  • Rainer Wieland, Former MEP (EPP)

Greece

  • Nikos Chrysogelos, Former MEP (G-EFA)

    “Patients are part of the solution to make health systems more effective. “ –Former MEP Chrysogelos

  • Anna Effrememidis, Elections Candidate
  • Dimitris Florinis, Health Attaché (Permanent Representative of Greece)
  • Leobilla Fotini, Elections Candidate
  • Giorgos Grammatikakis, MEP (S&D)
  • Vassilis Kafris, Patients in Power
  • Dimitris Kontopidis, Elections Candidate
  • Arsenis Kriton, Former MEP (S&D)
  • Alexandros P. Mallias, Elections Candidate
  • Georgiadis Spyridon-Adonis, Health Minister
  • Olga Theodorikakou, Klimaka; Elections Candidate

Hungary:

  • Kinga Gal, MEP (EPP)
  • MBWpLxtkAvWMKhksLa, National Government

Iceland:

  • Dr. Katrín Fjeldsted, Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME)

Ireland:

  • Nessa Childers, MEP (NI)
  • Emer Costello, Former MEP (S&D)
  • Pat The Cope Gallagher, Former MEP (ALDE)
  • Marian Harkin, Former MEP (ALDE)
  • Jim Higgins, Former MEP (EPP)
  • Sean Kelly, MEP (EPP)
  • Eibhlin Mulroe , EUPATI
  • Jim Reilly, Patient Advocate
  • Donna Walsh, European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA)
  • Brian Ward, European Respiratory Society

Italy:

  • Silvano Beioli, EUPATI
  • Nicolas Bucci, Burson-Marsteller
  • Claudio Castegnaro, EUPATI
  • Antonella Celano, Associazione Persone con Malattie Reumatiche (APMAR)
  • Susy De Martini, Former MEP (ECR)

    “I am a medical doctor and a cancer patient and I think it is the most important goal for a politician to be committed about patients, health and prevention.” MEP De Martini

  • Bianca De Rosario, Assembly of European Regions
  • Mario Ghirardi, Fipeg
  • Luca Marcelli, DG Parliamentary Research Service
  • Lazlo Pearie, Independent Consultant 
  • Pietro Policante, Fipeg
  • Niccolo Rinaldi, Former MEP (ALDE)
  • Oreste Rossi, Former MEP (EPP)
  • Roberta Salvi, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients
  • Associations (EFA)
  • Gianguido Saveri, Parkinson Italia
  • Patrizia Toia, MEP (S&D)
  • Andrea Zanoni, Former MEP (ALDE)

Latvia:

  • Maras Gobias, Freelance Interpreter
  • Karlis Sadurskis, Former MEP (EPP)

Lithuania:

  • Zilvinas Gavenas, European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Radvile Morkunaite-Mikuleniene, Elections Candidate
  • Rolandas Paksas, MEP (EFD)
  • Juras Požela, Elections Candidate
  • Gintaras Steponavičius, Elections Candidate
  • Dalia Teiserskyte, Elections Candidate
  • Arturas Razbadauskas, Elections Candidate
  • Vytautas Vasilenko, Elections Candidate

Luxembourg:

  • Christophe Hansen, Elections Candidate

Macedonia

  • Irena Spirovska, BORKA

Malta:

  • Maria Badea
  • Lino Bianco, Elections Candidate
  • Michael Bonnici, National Government
  • Health Commissioner Tonio Borg, European Commission
  • Therese Comodini Cachia, MEP (EPP)
  • Phillip Chircop, Malta Health Network (MHN) and European Patients’ Forum(EPF)
  • Viorica Cursaru
  • Mihaela Despa
  • Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech, Elections Candidate
  • Dr. Jeffrey Farrugia
  • Dr. Vincent Moran, Maltese Ministry of Health
  • Freddie Portelli, National Government
  • Louis Refalo, National Government
  • Prof. John Rizzo Naudi, National Government
  • Salvu Sant, National Government

The Netherlands:

  • Bos Cornelis, European Parliament
  • Sparkles Kaa
  • Mary Lynne van Poelgeest-Pomfret, ‎World Federation for Incontinent Patients(WFIP)
  • Jolanda Schneider
  • Monique Sparla, Elections Candidate
  • Mariëlle Swinkels
  • Sabine Wildevuur
  • Raphaël Wouters

Poland:

  • Andrzej Bauman, Polish Diabetes Association
  • Urszula Iwicka, Elections Candidate
  • Anna Kleszcz
  • Antoni Konopka, Elections Candidate
  • Tomasz Kostus, Board of Opole
  • Małgorzata Kowalewska, Elections Candidate
  • Bartosz Koziej, European Parliament
  • Arthur Olesch, Media
  • Stanisłąw Maćkowiak, Federation of Polish Patients (FPP)
  • Dr. Dorota Polz-Gruszka Ph.D., DMD; Elections Candidate
  • Stanislaw Rokoczy, Elections Candidate
  • Andzej Rys, DG SANCO
  • Czesław Siekierski, MEP (EPP)
  • Karol Solarz, European Parliament
  • Tomasz Szelagowski, Federation of Polish Patients (FPP) and European Patients Forum (EPF)
  • Tadeusz Zwiewka, MEP (EPP)

Portugal:

  • Edite Estrela, Former MEP (S&D)
  • Ana Filipa Costa Ferreira, European Parliament
  • Elisa Ferreira, MEP (S&D)
  • Marisa Matias, MEP (GUE-NGL)
  • Alda Sousa, Former MEP (GUE-NGL)

Romania:

  • Iona Bolohan, European Parliament
  • Cristian Bulumac, European Parliament
  • Bungardean Cristina
  • Petru Luhan, Former MEP (EPP)
  • Kalina Nedelcheva
  • Alexandra Tamansan, European Parliament
  • Cristian Traicu
  • Dragos Zaharia, Coalition of Patients' Organisations with Chronic Diseases from Romania (COPAC)

Serbia:

  • Biljana Benic, Anti-Cancer Society

Slovenia:

  • Alojz Peterle, MEP (EPP)

Slovakia:

  • Miroslav Mikolasik, MEP (EPP)

Spain:

  • Virginia Marco Carcel, European Parliament
  • Laura Checa , European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS)
  • Inaki Irazalbeitia Fernandez, Former MEP (G-EFA)

    “I think that dialogue is the most powerful arm we human beings have to both deal and resolve problems. Dialogue means participation. So, in any area of human activities dialogue and participation are main foundations to build up sustainable structures. In order to achieve that, you should take into account the opinions of all the stakeholders. That applies for healthcare systems as well.” -Former MEP Fernandez

  • Javier Garcia Gomez-Die, European Federation of Periodontology
  • Gonzalo Lopez, European Parliament

Sweden:

  • Richard Bergstrom, European Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industry and Associations
  • Kurt-Ake Hammerstedt, Regional Government
  • Anders Olausen, European Patients’ Forum (EPF)
  • Daniel Vilhelm Tell, DG SANCO
  • Asa Westlund, Former MEP (S&D)

Switzerland:

  • Ilona Kickbusch, Kickbusch Health Consult

Turkey:

  • Hande Ozsan Bozatli

United Kingdom:

  • Ann Brauer-Mountain
  • Sean Broomhead
  • Judith Kirton-Darling, MEP (S&D)
  • Chris Davies, Former MEP (ALDE)
  • Andrew Duff, Former MEP (ALDE)
  • David Earnshaw, Burson-Marsteller
  • Richard Howitt, MEP (S&D)
  • Stephen Hughes, Former MEP (S&D)

    "In the wake of the economic crisis, a strong patient voice is vital to help shape cost-effective, sustainable health systems that benefit all Europeans.  We must take concrete measures to involve patients in research, innovation, and reporting in all aspects of healthcare and ensure that patients can make their voices heard through patient organisations.  We must also take steps to ensure that patients are empowered and educated about their healthcare choices, so that they may be better equipped to help create the healthcare they receive.  I commit to including the patients’ perspective in my work.” -MEP Hughes

  • Jean Lambert, MEP (G-EFA)
  • Sarah Masefield, European Lung Foundation
  • Peter McCann, Castle Craig Hospital
  • Alex Pollard, Brighton & Sussex Medical School
  • Hamid Taherzadeh, WCDI
  • Rebecca Taylor, Former MEP (ALDE)
  • Bernard Therkel, European Commission
  • Glenis Willmott, MEP (S&D)

 

DG SANCO

The Directorate-General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO) is responsible for the implementation of EU laws on the protection of people’s health.  As of 15 May, 2014, the 2014 Elections Campaign received the support of 6 members of DG SANCO.

  • Tonio Borg, Health Commissionner

"I fully agree with you that patients' views matter and that empowered patient are an asset for the economy. Indeed patient empowerment contributes to the success of healthcare systems. (…) However, there is still no consensus among Member States on the advantages of, and barriers to, patient empowerment."

  • Natalie Chaze, Head of Unit Health
  • Annika Nowak, Policy officer, Health Strategy and Health Systems Unit
  • Andzej Rys, Director of Public Health
  • Kari Steig, Policy Officer, Health and Consumer Affairs
  • Bernard Therkel, Head of Food Safety, Health and Consumer Affairs
  • Daniel Vilhelm Tell

Health Ministers & Attachés


Health ministers and attachés are responsible for many health-related decisions taken at national and EU levels.  As of 15 May, 2014, EPF received the support of 5 health ministers and attachés.

  • Michael Bonnici, Parliamentary Medical Council (Malta)
  • Ivan Dimitrov, Municipal Health Sofia (Bulgaria)
  • Dimitris Florinis, Permanent Representation (Greece)
  • Dr. Vincent Moran, Former Minister of Health (Malta)
  • Georgiadis Spyridon-Adonis, Minister of Health (Greece)

Health Stakeholders


EPF is proud to engage in partnership with a diverse number of stakeholders in EU health.  As of 14 May, 2014, 22 health stakeholders expressed their support for EPF’s 2014 Elections Manifesto.

  • American Chamber of Commerce
  • Andalusian Water Agency
  • British Chamber of Commerce
  • Brighton & Sussex Medical School
  • Drug Information Association
  • Edelman
  • EUPATI
  • European Biopharmaceutical Enterprises (EBE)
  • European Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industry and Associations (EFPIA)
  • European Federation of Periodontology
  • European Forum for Good Clinical Practice
  • European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)
  • Federazione Italiana Piccolo Editori Giornali (FIPEG)
  • Fipra
  • Gastein
  • Janssen Pharmaceutica 
  • Kickbusch Health Consult
  • Klimaka
  • PM Public Affairs
  • Standing Committee of European Doctors
  • Stanton Chase