• Posted 28-Mar-2022

Supporting the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) - two new contracts signed

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern and continues to be a significant cross-border health threat. AMR is responsible for an estimated 33,000 deaths per year in the EU and estimated to cost the EU €1.5 billion per year in healthcare costs and productivity losses[1]. The spread of new resistances, due to enhanced international travel, runs the risk of creating similar scenarios to that of COVID-19.

Background

The European Commission is building a strong European Health Union. In order to achieve this goal, protection, prevention, preparedness and response against human health hazards is a top priority.

To this end, the Commission launched a new European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) for health emergencies, to develop, produce and procure medical countermeasures before and during a health crisis.

HERA aims to:

  • Improve EU health security coordination before and during crises;
  • Bring together the EU Member States, industry and relevant stakeholders;
  • Develop, produce, procure, stockpile and equitably distribute medical countermeasures;
  • Reinforce the global health emergency response architecture.

Source: European Commission I HADEA (https://bit.ly/3DjuyFp)