Every day, millions of people across Europe reach for self care products and over-the-counter medicines to treat minor ailments, saving Europe’s healthcare system €36bn per year.
Without access to self care, we would need an additional 120,000 doctors or an additional 2.4 hours per GP per day at a time when all European countries face severe challenges related to the health and care workforce.
Self care and over-the-counter medicines significantly contribute to building a sustainable healthcare system in the EU: When readily available, self care can drive improved quality of life, increased productivity, huge cost savings to economies and health care systems, and a significant reduction on physician workload.
As we are entering a new phase of EU discussions, we have the opportunity to consider how the ambitious review of the EU pharmaceutical legislation may impact the way individuals can access self care and over-the-counter medicines.
This roundtable event in the European Parliament will bring together policy-makers, pharmacists groups and industry to provide their views and discuss the benefits of self care and over-the-counter medicines in building a sustainable healthcare system in the EU.
Hosted by MEP Susana Solís Pérez
