European and global policy
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“As the world’s largest charitable funder of cancer research, we are at the forefront of the global fight against the disease, bringing together millions of people who share our determination to beat it. We draw on the strength of our network and collaborate with partners in the UK and around the world to save and improve many more lives than we could alone, bringing hope to people affected by cancer everywhere.” (CRUK Our Strategy to Beat Cancer p.5)
As the UK develops a new relationship with the European Union, CRUK is clear that we remain at the heart of the World Health Organisation’s European Region and must play our part in pan-European health and science policy conversations. We are members of policy organisations such as the European Cancer Organisation, Smoke Free Partnership, European Public Health Alliance, Association of European Cancer Leagues and the Federation of the European Academies of Medicine. We develop policy relationships with national cancer societies and other organisations that often collaborate with CRUK in various ways.
Why we work in partnership on EU policy after Brexit:
- We support the environment for cross-border research collaboration
- We want to learn from others working to improve cancer outcomes
- EU legislation and policy are relevant to future UK regulation and commercial decision-making – this has an impact on our health services and research environment
- We want to be a good global citizen – we take part in global knowledge-sharing and production
How do we work on European policy?
The European Union (EU) passes laws and promotes research cooperation which can have a major impact on the health of citizens and the environment for conducting cancer research in the UK and across Europe. The organisation and delivery of healthcare, however, remains a solely national issue including for EU Member States.
We work with the UK Government and its Mission to the EU, the EU’s Delegation in the UK, Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and other health, professional and patient groups active in Brussels to ensure that laws and policies developed by the EU take account of the needs of cancer research and people affected by cancer.
The EU passes laws and rules on issues such as product safety, public health and consumer and patient rights. When these laws are being introduced or updated, it is important to ensure the perspectives and suggestions of the cancer community are heard by the EU Institutions – the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers – which, collectively, make the new laws. We work with other medical research charities, academia and health organisations to provide joint responses and policy statements. We also take part in the UK-based Alliance for International Health Policy (formerly the Brexit Health Alliance).
The EU also brings experts together from across Europe to discuss major health and research challenges, to share ideas and best practice and to develop recommendations or standards. In the area of cancer, there have been many years of cooperation amongst the scientific and physician communities. This has led to EU Recommendations on cancer screening, rare diseases and smoke-free policies. Funding also is available for UK-based researchers under some EU Research Programmes.
See also
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