European Parliament Establishes the Intergroup on Cancer & Rare Diseases

The European Parliament has taken a landmark step in prioritizing cancer and rare disease policies by launching the new Intergroup on Cancer & Rare Diseases for the 2024-2029 legislative period. This initiative, strongly supported by the European Cancer Organisation (ECO), EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe, and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE), aims to drive impactful policy discussions and improve care for millions of patients across Europe.

Cancer and rare diseases are among the most pressing healthcare challenges in Europe. While cancer remains a leading cause of death, rare diseases—affecting over 30 million Europeans—continue to be hindered by delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and fragmented healthcare access. The newly formed Intergroup will work towards addressing these gaps by fostering political collaboration, improving policy implementation, and securing funding to enhance research and treatment access.

The Intergroup’s Key Priorities

At its inaugural meeting in Brussels, MEP Vlad Voiculescu (Romania, Renew) was appointed as Chair, supported by Vice-Chairs from across the political spectrum: Stine Bosse (Denmark, Renew), Tilly Metz (Luxembourg, Greens/EFA), Alessandra Moretti (Italy, S&D), and Tomislav Sokol (Croatia, EPP).

The Intergroup has outlined several core objectives:

• Advancing Policy Action: Ensuring that cancer and rare disease issues remain at the forefront of EU health policy.
• Strengthening EU Investment: Advocating for dedicated funding through the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
• Improving Access to Care & Treatment: Promoting equal healthcare opportunities across Europe, addressing disparities, and supporting innovative research and therapies.
• Engaging Stakeholders: Encouraging collaboration with patient groups, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to drive meaningful change.

A United Effort for Meaningful Change

The creation of this Intergroup has been met with enthusiasm from key advocates:

📢 Csaba Dégi, President of ECO: “This initiative is a unique opportunity to accelerate our fight against cancer and rare diseases. It paves the way for stronger collaboration between experts and policymakers to shape more effective cancer policies.”

📢 Virginie Bros-Facer, CEO of EURORDIS: “With 95% of rare diseases still lacking an approved treatment, this Intergroup is a crucial step toward addressing patient inequities and improving access to life-saving therapies.”

📢 Prof. Gilles Vassal, SIOPE Board Member: “Every year, 35,000 children and young people in Europe face cancer. We must ensure better research, cure rates, and equal access to high-quality care.”

What’s Next?

The Intergroup is set to hold key hearings in the European Parliament on crucial topics, including EU healthcare funding, pharmaceutical legislation, and cross-border healthcare. A formal reception in March will mark the official launch of its activities.

This initiative reaffirms the European Union’s commitment to prioritizing cancer and rare diseases in health policy, ensuring that every patient—regardless of location—receives the best possible care and support.

For further updates, follow the European Cancer Organisation at www.europeancancer.org.

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