Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected in the long term the structure, speed and funding of health care systems in Europe? To what extent has this health emergency laid bare manufacturing weaknesses? And what has it revealed about the impact of the politicization of health decision making? While many see this crisis as an opportunity to rebuild social care systems more sustainable and resilient– from innovation to regulation – and to rethink relationships between industry actors, researchers, health regulators and patients, it isn’t yet clear if the pandemic will lead to a much-needed Big Bang moment. Not to mention that budgets have been extremely stretched by the crisis. 

Health care will remain on the Europeans’ radar for a while, compelling them to redesign a system – possibly through the European Health Union – that better anticipates health risks and find ways to coordinate emergency steps, at the EU level and beyond. The post COVID-19 era also offers a window of opportunity to reflect on how to ensure pharmaceutical research further develops and offers high-value solutions to highly prevalent diseases such as cancer or dementia.   

Building on the success of its previous editions, POLITICO’s Health Care Summit is coming back for its sixth edition on October 27-28 in Brussels and online. Through exclusive interviews, panel discussions, and interactive roundtable discussions, this high-level event will gather newsmakers and global thought leaders to dive into European policies on COVID-19, cancer, the Pharma Strategy, health data, and medicine shortages among many other key topics.