IDF Europe - EU Affairs Report Dr. Michael Hall, IDF-E Board Member 14 th October, 2005 Munich, Germany Towards an EU Framework for Diabetes

From St Vincent to Munich Since the signing of the St Vincent Declaration in 1989, by all the current EU Member States (except Cyprus), improvements in the care for people with diabetes have been difficult to detect. Although some governments have worked at producing National Diabetes Plans or Programmes, others have shown little attempt to make diabetes a priority on their national healthcare agenda. IDF Europe was notable for keeping the St Vincent flag flying Now, our efforts are geared towards achieving an: EU Council Recommendation for Diabetes Prevention, Diagnosis and Control.

Slow Progress? Progress towards this objective has seemed tantalisingly slow, however, a number of key milestones have been achieved over the last two years: Irish Presidency & EU Health Council Conclusions -In Dublin in 2004, there was an important step forwards when the Irish Presidency was persuaded to initiate a move towards placing diabetes on the EU agenda. -This resulted in the EU Health Council of Ministers calling for the EU to develop a European Strategy on Diabetes in June 2004 Otocec Declaration -In November 2004, the launch of the Otočec Declaration, calling on EU’s leaders to act -EU Diabetes Week EU Health Commissioners, David Byrne and Markos Kyprianou, received and supported the Otočec Declaration. Austrian Presidency of the EU -Decision by the Austrian Presidency of the EU (Jan-July 2006) to prioritise diabetes on its Presidency agenda -Conference - February 2006 (IDF E/FEND as partners), Health Council conclusions expected - June 2006.

Pictures of Success From: Presidency To: Council Date: 2 June 2004 Subject: Diabetes - Information by the Presidency Diabetes requires the development of a comprehensive, integrated programme of prevention, care and rehabilitation. It constitutes a significant public health problem with high mortality and serious levels of illness and disability. There exist identifiable interventions and sound evidence based strategies which could have a potential to significantly improve the health of individuals and populations health across Europe. Progress made in cardiovascular and cancer strategies demonstrate the merit of addressing conditions like diabetes in a co-ordinated, strategic and comprehensive way across Europe, given that it can have wide-ranging complications. Indeed, a European strategy for diabetes, a major risk factor of other related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, could make an important contribution to the reduction of public health expenditures in all 25 EU member states.

Current Activities Two key projects currently underway include: European Diabetes Audit -Joint project with FEND on Diabetes Policies within the EU (full presentation tomorrow) providing data to support our case for urgent action, getting policies into practice. -Audit to be officially launched and presented to politicians and EU policy makers over the coming months. Supported by Novartis EU Policy Recommendations – New Project Starting Now -Aimed at developing a set of recommendations on Diabetes Prevention, Diagnosis and Control – a foundation on which the Commission can draft its proposal for an EU Council Recommendation. -Member Associations will be invited to contribute -Policy Paper to be made available ahead of Austrian Health Conference in February and widely disseminated to policy makers in the EU. Supported by FEND, PCDE, GSK Glucoforum -IDF E has been able to raise awareness on pre-diabetes and diabetes. -We have been invited to join the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Lifestyle, offering yet another opportunity to work within the EU. Supported by Merck Sante

Step-by-Step Progress St Vincents Declaration & National Diabetes Plans EU Health Council Information Note Otočec Declaration EU Council Recommendation on Diabetes Diabetes Policy Audit Glucoforum EU Obesity Platform Dublin EU Diabetes Workshop EU Policy Paper (Ongoing) Austrian Presidency Priority Council of Europe

Upcoming IDF Europe Activity The UK Presidency and Diabetes (July-Dec 2005) EU Health Summit “Tackling inequalities in health” - 17/18th October The Austrian Presidency and Diabetes (Jan-Jun 2006) Next planning meeting for the February Conference is now fixed for 2nd November European Commission - Testing (Week of 28th November) Discussions with the Cabinet of Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou’s underway to convince him to hold a testing event in the Commission building. EU Diabetes Parliamentary Working Group (Wed 30th November) Consideration of a Written Declaration to put pressure on the Commission and Member States to support an EU Council Recommendation on Diabetes. EU Diabetes Week (March 2006) Planning for this event at the European Parliament is underway.

Upcoming IDF Europe Activity EU Bulletin Published in September. Copies will be made available during the General Assembly meeting. Supported by Novo Nordisk Glucoforum Work continues; web-site for health care professionals launched in Athens. Consensus article “Pre-diabetes Essential Action: A European Perspective”, to be published in December. Supported by Merck Sante Corporate Partners Next meeting on 1st December 2005.

National Member Associations Your Support  Action to raise political support at national level is now vital  Increase advocacy with key officials within National Health Ministries and politicians (MPs & MEPs)  Send letters to and request meetings with these key official and politicians  During meetings, refer to recent audit report on national diabetes policies and highlight key differences between countries  Call for benchmarking and minimum standards for the prevention, diagnosis and control of diabetes across EU member states.