European Medicines Agency to Review Nolotil Scandal
The European drugs regulator, the EMA, says it is reviewing the drug Nolotil, linked to the recent scandal in Spain where the medication seems to have resulted in the deaths of a number of expats through the often-fatal condition of agranulocytosis. We have reported on this before in the last few months, including the involvement of the Association of Drug Affected Patients (ADAF), which is currently taking legal action against the Ministry of Health and its Medicines and Health Products Agency (AEMPS).
ADAF’s founder Cristina García del Campo told the press:
“I am very happy that they are doing this. It is about time. I wrote to them seven years ago and they took no notice. I have written to them several times. Had they acted before a lot of unnecessary deaths might have been prevented.”
Prague Clinic Offers One-Day Surgeries
Expats in Czechia may want to take advantage of Canadian Medical’s one-day surgical clinics, which focus on general surgery, urology, orthopaedics and other medical conditions which might otherwise require hospitalisation. The Waltrovka Clinic, which specialises in paediatric surgery, notes that their medical professionals are proficient in other languages, making this a good option for expats who do not speak Czech.
Gallbladder surgery, treatments for hernias, and laparoscopic surgeries are just some of the options available to patients who may not be in a position to undertake more than a 24-hour stay. After some treatments, patients may be able to go home almost immediately. The clinic says that its day treatments are “in line with the international IAAS criteria for day care.”
China Extends Visa Exemption Policy
China is extending its visa exemption policy for short-term visits into 2025. 15-day visits will be exempt from the need for a visa for nationals from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Following the pandemic, China has seen an increased number of foreign visitors by around 35%, and a rise in domestic tourism, too.
OECD Details the Future of Healthcare Systems
The OECD have recently outlined its thoughts on the future of healthcare systems, as an increasing number of countries across the world face challenges such as an ageing demographic and a corresponding rise in age-related illnesses. It says that the population share aged 65 and over has, on average, doubled across OECD countries.
In 2019, OECD nations spent on average 8.8% of GDP on healthcare, but by 2021, this rose to 9.7%, falling to 9.2% as pandemic-related spending also lessened. They say that this last figure, however, shows the impact of inflation. The organisation says that effective communication between health and financial agencies is crucial to manage health-related government spending in the years to come, to cope with the rising trend of ageing populations.
Spain: Universal Health Care Bill Approved
The Council of Ministers have approved the Universal Health Care Bill of the National Health System (SNS). The aim of the new bill is not only to recover the right to health care on equal terms for Spanish people residing abroad, but also for foreigners who come to Spain for family reunification, and for everyone residing in Spain regardless of their administrative status. This also includes people not registered or authorised as residents in Spain, which may affect some British expats in the country. The coverage will apply if:
- you have no obligation to accredit mandatory coverage of health care by another means
- you are not able to export the right to your health coverage to your country of origin
- there is no third party who is under an obligation to pay for you
In other words, if you’ve taken out private health insurance cover, this should presumably be your first port of call rather than the SNS. If the new bill does cover you, it should give you at least some discount for your prescription costs.
Working in Medicine? Countries Who Will Offer You a Visa
If you’re a medical professional seeking work abroad, you might like to know that some EU nations with shortages of healthcare workers, such as Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and Ireland, are offering visas to the suitably qualified, along with the Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark.
Specialist doctors and nursing professionals are in the most wanted category: Ireland, Switzerland and Norway have the highest dependence in the EU on doctors from other countries, and the first two countries, plus Austria, are also heavily reliant on foreign nursing staff, according to the 2023 EURES Report on shortages and surpluses. In 2023, 1 in 8 doctors working in Germany (around 12% of all doctors) were from elsewhere, and it’s estimated that the country will need around 150,000 nurses by 2025.
Schengen News reported in June that the highest demand is for:
- specialist medical practitioners
- generalist medical practitioners
- nursing professionals
- health care assistants
- health professionals not elsewhere classified
- midwifery professionals
- physiotherapists
- dentists
- pharmacists
- audiologists and speech therapists
So, if you or one of your contacts work in this particular field, options are opening up to you across Europe.
Hot Spot Health Warnings Across the EU
Medical authorities are warning travellers to take care when journeying to EU hot spots this summer. Italy, Greece and Spain have recorded record temperatures. The high profile case of Dr Michael Mosely is only one example of a recent death in Greece due to heat, and last month the Acropolis was closed due to the high temperatures. The Italian government, meanwhile, have issued a Level Three alert (the highest level) for areas such as Rome and Palermo.
Travellers are asked to stay hydrated, stay out of the sun at very hot times of the day and listen to local health advice regarding high temperatures. Also, be aware of wildfire zones, as fires have been afflicting various parts of Europe as a result of the heat.