1. Healthcare

European Commission - Daily News
Daily News 29 / 01 / 2015
Brussels, 29 January 2015
EU steps up humanitarian assistance to Syria crisis
The European Union is increasing its assistance to the Syria crisis by €136 million in humanitarian
funding, half of which will go to needs inside Syria, and the other half to Syrian refugees and host
communities in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. The funding was announced as
Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, and Commissioner
for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, are in Lebanon and
Jordan to discuss how EU aid can help meet the growing needs of Syrian refugees and relieve the
growing burden on neighbouring countries. A press release is available. (for more information:
Catherine Ray –m Tel.: +32 229 69921; Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570; Irina Novakova –
Tel.: +32 2 295 75 17; Anca Paduraru – Tel.: +32 229 66430)
Commission pushes for transparency for ISDS in current investment treaties
The European Commission has today proposed to allow United Nations rules on transparency for
Investor-to-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) to apply also to existing investment treaties that the EU
and Member States have in place. These rules represent an important change in giving the public
access to documents submitted in ISDS cases, making hearings open to the public, and allowing
interested parties to make submissions to the proceedings. "The EU and Member States should sign up
to this Convention without delay. These new rules are a welcome and necessary reform of the ISDS
system worldwide, making old agreements more transparent," said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia
Malmström. A press release and a memo are available online. (for more information: Daniel Rosario –
Tel.: +32 229 56185, Joseph Waldstein – Tel.: +32 229 56184)
EUROSTAT: New record level of 2.7bn tourism nights in the EU28 in 2014
In 2014, the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the EU is expected to
have reached a new peak of around 2.7 billion nights, up by 1.7% compared with 2013. Following the
decline observed in 2009 with the beginning of the financial crisis, there has been a steady increase in
the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the EU over the last 5 years.
This pattern can be observed for nights spent by both residents and non-residents. In 2014, France
(403 million nights, -1.2% compared with 2013) and Spain (401 mn, +3.1%) continued to be the top 2
Member States in terms of tourism nights, followed by Italy (370 mn, -1.8%) and Germany (366 mn,
+2.9%). These estimates, which include nights spent whether for business or leisure, come from a
publication issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. A full press release is
available here (for more information: Lucia Caudet – Tel.: +32 229 56182; Leila Brahimi – Tel.: +32
229 56142)
State aid: Commission approves UK flood reinsurance scheme
The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a UK reinsurance scheme aimed at
ensuring the availability of domestic insurance at affordable prices for flood-related damage. The
scheme ("Flood Re") will set up a pool to provide reinsurance for the flood risk element from those
households deemed at high risk of flooding. It will be funded partially by an industry-wide levy, which
may confer an economic advantage to the pool over its competitors and involve state aid. However,
the Commission has concluded that the scheme is compatible with EU state aid rules, because such
insurance cover might not otherwise be sufficiently available on the private market, and the scheme
remedies the market failure without unduly distorting competition. A full press release is available
here.(for more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100, Yizhou Ren – Tel.: 32 229 94889)
Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Abbott Laboratories' Non-U.S. Developed
Markets Specialty and Branded Generics Business by Mylan, subject to conditions
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of
Abbott Laboratories' Non-U.S. Developed Markets Specialty and Branded Generics Business ("Abbott
EPD-DM"), by Mylan, Inc ("Mylan"). Abbott EPD-DM is a Swiss-based manufacturer focused on
distributing branded ex-originator products with expired patents and with internal production
capabilities in Europe, Canada and Japan. Mylan is a US-based producer of generic pharmaceuticals.
The decision is conditional upon the divestment of a number of Mylan's businesses in Germany, the
United Kingdom, France, Ireland and Italy. The Commission had concerns that the transaction, as
initially notified, would have reduced competition on the market for several medicines. The
commitments offered by Mylan address these concerns. More information is available on the
competition website, in the Commission's public case register under the case number M.7379.The full
press release is available here. (for more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100,
Carolina Luna – Tel.: 32 229 68386)
Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of GSK's oncology business by Novartis, subject
to conditions
The European Commission has found the proposed acquisition of the oncology business of
GlaxoSmithKline plc. ("GSK") of the United Kingdom by Novartis of Switzerland to be in line with the
EU Merger Regulation. Both companies are active globally in the development, distribution and
marketing of pharmaceutical products. The decision is conditional upon the divestment of two of
Novartis' cancer treatments: LGX818, a B-Raf inhibitor, and MEK162, a MEK inhibitor. B-Raf inhibitors
and MEK inhibitors are therapies that block cell proliferation, responsible for tumour growth and
progression. They can be used to treat a number of different cancers. The Commission had concerns
that the transaction would have reduced competition and innovation for these products. The
commitments address these concerns. The full press release is available here. (for more information:
Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100, Carolina Luna – Tel.: 32 229 68386)
Mergers: Commission approves both GSK's acquisition of Novartis' vaccines business and a
consumer healthcare joint venture between GSK and Novartis, subject to conditions
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation both the proposed acquisition
of the vaccines business of Novartis' by GlaxoSmithKline ("GSK"), as well as the proposed creation of a
new entity combining the consumer health activities of GSK and Novartis. The decision is conditional
upon the divestiture of assets in the vaccines and consumer health businesses. The Commission had
concerns that the transaction would have eliminated an important competitor to GSK for the supply of
several vaccines and consumer health products, which might lead to price increases for European
consumers. The commitments address these concerns. More information will be available on the
competition website, in the Commission's public case register under the case number M.7276. The full
press release is available here. (for more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100,
Carolina Luna – Tel.: 32 229 68386)
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Total's adhesives and sealants business by
Arkema
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of the
adhesives and sealants business of Total S.A. (“Bostik”) by Arkema S.A., both of France. Arkema
produces and distributes chemical products worldwide. Bostik manufactures adhesives and sealants.
The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because
it leads only to limited vertical links between the parties and the inputs concerned are not crucial for
the downstream production of adhesives and sealants. Furthermore, a number of strong players will
remain active in the market after the merger. More information is available on the Commission's
competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.7465. (for more information:
Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100, Carolina Luna – Tel.: 32 229 68386)
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of ANOV Expansion by Ingram Micro in logistics
sector.
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of ANOV
Expansion SAS of France and its subsidiaries, except for its Spanish subsidiaries, (''Anovo'') by Ingram
Micro UK Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ingram Micro Inc. of the US, (''Ingram Micro''). Ingram
Micro provides distribution and logistics services for IT and other electronic products. Anovo provides
logistics services for mobility and electronic products. The Commission concluded that the proposed
acquisition would not raise any competition concerns, because the overlaps between the parties'
activities were very limited and a number of strong players would remain in the market after the
merger. The transaction was assessed under the simplified merger review procedure. More information
is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case registerunder the case number
M.7486. (for more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100, Carolina Luna – Tel.: 32 229
68386)
Commission adopts new measures in the Schengen Information System for counterterrorism purposes
Today, the European Commission has adopted new measures and technical upgrades of the Schengen
Information System (SIS) which will allow an accelerated and more targeted information exchange on
terrorist suspects amongst law enforcement authorities, state security services and border guards
throughout the 28 Schengen States. By this new action SIS will reinforce the efforts of Member States
to invalidate personal identification documents of persons who may join terrorist groups outside the
European Union. It will substantially contribute to more effective border controls as when checks of
travel documents are carried out at the external borders such documents must be seized and the
person concerned will be detained. This forms part of the work carried out by the Commission, in close
cooperation with the Member States, to reinforce border security within the existing legal framework in
response to terrorist threats. Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris
Avramopoulos, is currently in Riga to participate in discussions and present this decision at the
informal Justice and Home Affairs Council on countering terrorism. (for more information: Natasha
Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456)
EU Gender Action Plan Implementation report 2014 - EU to continue its global focus on
women empowerment in international cooperation and development
The commitment of the EU and of its members to improve gender equality and women's empowerment
is clearly visible in the 2014 Implementation Report on the EU Action Plan on Gender Equality and
Women's Empowerment in Development. The EU is investing precious resources into improving women
and girls' role as actors of change. The report shows that clear progress has been achieved in areas
such as political dialogue, coordination, partnerships and on the post-2015 agenda. It covers the
period 2013 to 2014 and highlights how essential it is to stay focussed on gender equality for long term
change, and to continuously seek to improve the way the EU promotes it across its international
cooperation work. Acknowledging all of this, and drawing on the lessons learnt over the last few years,
the Commission will prepare with stakeholders a new action plan for 2016 – 2020. (for more
information: Catherine Ray – Tel.: +32 229 69921; Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
First Vice-President Frans Timmermans participates in a Citizens' Dialogue in Copenhagen
and meets with Government, Trade Unions and Business leaders
On Thursday 29 and Friday 30 January, First Vice-President Frans Timmermans is visiting Denmark.
At 14.30 today, he participates in a Citizens' Dialogue at Copenhagen University, broadcast live by TV2
and on EbS. During his visit he will meet with Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the Ministers for
Foreign Affairs and for Business and Growth, the leader of the opposition and the Danish Parliament
European Affairs Committee. He will also meet business and trade union leaders and the Joint Council
of Muslims in Denmark. (for more information: Natasha Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456; Tim McPhie –
Tel.: +32 229 58602)
Commissioner Crețu in Croatia to launch the Partnership Agreement
On 29 and 30 January, Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Crețu will go to Croatia to officially
launch the Partnership Agreement. Croatia is eligible for € 8.6 billion under the European Regional
Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Social Fund for the 2014-2020 budgetary
period. The Commissioner will meet Deputy Prime Minister Branko Grčić and with national public and
private stakeholders to present the EU Cohesion Policy for 2014-2020 and its connection with the new
EU Investment Plan. Ahead of her mission to Croatia, Corina Crețu said: "8.6 billion euro from EU
Cohesion Funds will be made available to help improve the daily life of the Croatian citizens and to
create sustainable growth and jobs in the country. I want to congratulate Croatia on the tremendous
efforts that were made in the transition from the managing of pre-accession Funds, before the country
officially became an EU Member State, to the preparation of EU Cohesion policy's programmes. There
are some challenges ahead regarding the tangible delivery of the programmes and projects.
Nevertheless I'm confident that an open and fruitful dialogue between the Commission and the national
authorities, the dedication of the stakeholders on the ground and the assistance of the DirectorateGeneral for Regional and Urban policy, through the task force on low implementation, will help Croatia
make the best use of EU funds!" Further details on Cohesion policy and Croatia for 2014-2020 are
available here. (for more information: Jakub Adamowicz – Tel.: +32 229 50595; Sophie Dupin de
Saint-Cyr – Tel.: +32 229 56169)
MEX/15/3886
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