A consensus document that summarizes the status of basic, translational, and clinical hematology research and identifies areas of unmet scientific and medical needs in Europe has been published in the January 2016 issue of Haematologica.
“For the first time, hematologists in Europe came together to develop a road map to guide hematology research in Europe,” Professor Andreas Engert, chair of the European Hematology Association’s Research Roadmap Task Force, said in a written statement. “Hematology … must focus and collaborate to be efficient and remain successful in improving patient outcomes.”
Some 300 experts from over 20 countries in Europe helped to draft the road map. A wide variety of stakeholders, such as national hematology societies, patient organizations, hematology trial groups, and other European organizations, were consulted to comment on the final draft.
“The document reflects the views of the hematological research community in Europe, Professor Tony Green, president of the European Hematology Association (EHA), noted in the statement. “This is crucial if we want to convince policy makers to support the realization of this important research.”
“With an aging population, the slow recovery from the financial and Euro crises, costly medical breakthroughs and innovations – quite a few of which involve hematology researchers, Europe faces increased health expenditures while budgets are limited,” Professor Ulrich Jäger, chair of the EHA European Affairs Committee, said in the statement. “So it is our responsibility to provide the policy makers with the information and evidence they need to decide where their support impacts knowledge and health most efficiently, to the benefit of patients and society. … Now it is up to the policy makers in the EU to deliver, too.”
You may find the full article in Haematologica 2016 Jan. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2015.136739 .
