#EAPM2017: Delegates debate key health issues

At the first annual Congress held by the European Alliance for Personalised Medicine (EAPM), which runs from 27-30 November, delegates wasted no time in getting to grips with the 'nitty-gritty' of the congress's theme. 

Entitled  ‘Personalising Your Health: A Global Imperative’, the congress is being held in Belfast with the collaboration of the Estonian Presidency of the EU and in association with Queen’s University Belfast and Visit Belfast.  

And the first Plenary Presidential Session dealt with the weighty theme of 'Growth in Personalised Medicine - the promise for future generations', and the distinguished speakers were more than happy to share their expertise and (often forthright) views with the Congress's attendees.  

Christian Busoi MEP said: “Action is necessary at a cooperative and EU level - in gaining new insights into diseases, personalised medicine is already becoming the dominant therapy for cancer and a host of other afflictions.  

“Quality assurance needs to be further developed to respond to patients requirements. And affordability is the most crucial issue - can we ‘afford’ to beat cancer?”  

Concerning the regulation of medicines in the EU, which is an integral part of personalised medicine, Dublin's Health Products Regulatory Authority Chief Executive Lorraine Nolan said: “I think we have a really good reputation in terms of regulations of medicines within the EU. We’re viewed as open and progressive. Tough, but fair.  

"Much has changed in the regulatory mindset - regulators are working to ensure that they stay abreast of the latest innovations.   

This was a theme that was expanded on by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Director General Denis Lacombe, who was in Belfast from Brussels: "New regulations should therefore be good news. The European Commission has adopted a directive in order to pave the way for a pan-European research area. The principle is fine, the implementation is the problem.”  

Mark Lawler, chairman in Translational Cancer Genomics, Queen's University Belfast said: “We must look at how to realise the promise of the patient-centred approach. Better methods of treatment and treatment education need to help the person at the level of the person.”  

Desmond Schatz MD, of the UF Diabetes Institute said: “There is a sense of urgency and a call for action on diabetes - understanding the disease is key to personalised medicine treating it.  

“Diabetes is the epidemic of the 21st century - at present, there are 415 million sufferers, with 620m projected by 2040. Treatment requirements are not being met by current methods.”  

And Peter Meeus, who is head of Region Europe, Shire, London concluded on diabetes: "With 415 million people living with the condition globally, and costing health-care systems about $465bn annually, it's no surprise that much of the health-care world has its eyes on diabetes and the damaging effect it can have both economically and to the individuals who live with it."    

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