Greens' proposals on health accepted by Euro Parliament health committee

The European Parliament's public health committee yesterday voted on two legislative proposals to update EU rules on medical devices. Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Arnold Cassola welcomed the approval of the proposals put forward by the European Greens.

"Important Green proposals, including ensuring transparency on the results of clinical investigations of high risk medical devices, have been adopted, thus giving the consumer a better control over personal and family health and safety," Cassola said.

According to European Green public health spokesperson Michèle Rivasi, MEPs voted to ensure better evaluation of high-risk devices before they are put on the market.

"Importantly, the committee accepted the Greens' proposal that innovative high-risk devices should always be assessed against the existing reference treatment. Both of these provisions are crucial for ensuring that such devices are safe for public health and actually represent added therapeutic value," Rivasi said.

The Greens also pushed for the prohibition of toxic or dangerous substances in certain devices when safer alternatives are available.

"We welcome the support of the committee for this common sense proposal."