Newsletter
PAE’s President Welcome
Dear Reader,
The end of a turbulent and exciting year for PAE is coming closer so it is time to have a look back, but, more importantly, looking ahead to what the new year may bring us.
Looking back at 2018 is see progress for PAE in several ways.
PAE has grown in number of members and in representing European countries. The number of patients we represent is therefore also grown which makes our voice even more noticeable. The secretariat and the board has reached a higher level of professionalism which improved our communications to our members. Through our activities, we have reached our members in several ways and they proved great interest in what we achieved on an European level.
Our partners
The Thematic Network project has strengthened our collaboration with the healthcare professionals’ community represented by the European Pain Federation. This close partnership has been appreciated at the IAPO Congress on Pain in Boston USA, as an example to follow. PAE was equally involved in the European Pain Forum brainstorm, and we do count on this mutual input to continue in the years to come.
The Thematic Network project and outcome – to which many of you made a contribution brought us together on the Health Policy Platform and we invite you to continue to join us on the SIP Stakeholders’ Group on the same EU Health Policy Platform, to continue empowering our actions
Together with Grünenthal, European Pain Federation EFIC and Active Citizens Network we have taken important decisions and steps forward within the Societal Impact of Pain Platform.
European Federation of Neurological Associations EFNA remains our strong partner in the European Parliament Interest Group on Brain Mind and Pain, which will continue creating awareness among politicians and society for the people living with pain and brain conditions.
Our participation in developing research projects and in funded projects
Our active participation in activities organised by the European Commission or its Directorate Generals.
Participating in activities organised by other peer organisations such as the European Brain Council, the European League Against Rheumatism, EFNA, IASP, IAPO or EAfPA.
Our relations with the pharmaceutical industry
Last, but certainly not least, we would like to mention our relations with the pharmaceutical industry represented by Grünenthal, Pfizer, Pfizer / Lilly, MundiPharma, Medtronic, Janssen, Teva, Novartis. These relations are not limited to discussions on how to support PAE but extend on how to integrate the patients’ voice into the companies’ politics and participating in advisory boards.
Upcoming challenges
Seeing all these results there is no way we can sit down and relax.
There is a new and exciting year waiting for us busy in advocacy work in 2019 with the European elections coming up. A lot of changes will happen and we need to be on top of all these so to achieve a bigger audience to will listen to us. We not only need to do this for PAE but also for the BMP interest group and for the SIP platform. So a lot of work ahead of us.
The start of a new cycle for the BMP Grant is in preparation and also the third Survey on Chronic Pain – Pain and Stigma which is already online will be finished and used to advocate. Our work with the sponsors will continue as is our cooperation with everyone which we feel can improve the quality of life of people living with chronic pain in Europe. We keep striving in getting more involved in research projects as early as possible in the process.
We can only achieve our goals if we will have the full support of our members, partners and peers – of everyone who is willing to help the chronic pain patient from now and the chronic pain patient from the future.
To all of you I wish a good reading of this newsletter and a wonderful holiday season.
Greetings,
Joop van Griensven
PAE President
