As Europe embarks on a journey of recovery following the COVID-19 crisis, it is time to ask ourselves difficult questions about how our healthcare systems have responded to the test of a global pandemic. The need to protect long-term sustainability by investing in health through prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care has never been more apparent, whilst building resilience against future health threats and addressing a backlog of unmet patient needs in the midst of a changing treatment landscape are more critical than ever.

The pandemic has disrupted cancer care, delaying steps in the patient journey including prevention, diagnosis and treatment. While the number of cancer diagnoses has decreased throughout the pandemic, we can anticipate an increase in cases as we move into the post-pandemic era. Whilst the Beating Cancer Plan prioritises the fight against this complex web of diseases on the EU’s health policy agenda, there is still a lack of awareness and understanding regarding its comorbidities.

Cancer is a strong risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE), with research showing that cancer patients[1] have a 2- to 20- fold higher risk of developing VTE than non-cancer patients Resulting in 544,000 deaths in Europe every year[2], VTE is a health crisis which some believe is not addressed appropriately in health systems. This is particularly true for health policy, where there is concern that there is a lack of effective and implementable policies to reduce deaths related to cancer and its comorbidities.

The BMS-Pfizer Alliance is hosting a high-level policy roundtable to debate and address the challenges surrounding VTE. We are delighted to invite you to attend this event, entitled ‘VTE and Cancer-Associated VTE: Public Policy Recommendations for a Changing Environment’, taking place on Tuesday 9 November from 15.00 – 16.30 CET.

The panel discussion will bring a range of health policy and cancer and VTE expertise to the table, facilitated by experienced health policy moderator, Brian Maguire from EurActiv, including:

• Anna Falanga, Chief of the Department of Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine and the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Center, at the Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII
• Antonella Cardone, Director, European Cancer Patient Coalition
• Ingrid Pabinger-Fasching, Chair of European Thrombosis and Haemostasis Alliance
• Richard Price, Head of Policy, European Cancer Organisation
• Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, Member of the European Parliament (EPP, RO)

Bringing together key policymakers, researchers, and advocacy organisations, our goal is to advance the discussion on diagnosis and access to treatments that reduce the risk of VTE and cancer-associated VTE, discuss improved patient outcomes through adherence to updated guidelines in VTE and Cancer VTE, and to raise awareness of the impact of non-treatment on the sustainability of Europe’s healthcare systems, particularly within the context of the post-pandemic era.

Interested participants may apply for registration at the following link.

[1] https://www.anticoagulationuk.org/downloads/European%20CAT%20White%20Paper.pdf accessed 17.09.2021

[2] World Thrombosis Day | Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) accessed 17.09.2021 

Disclaimer:

*This Webcast is organised and funded by The Bristol Myers Squibb–Pfizer Alliance; the findings, views and opinions expressed are those of the participants. They do not reflect the findings, views and opinions of The Bristol Myers Squibb–Pfizer Alliance.