Brussels, 26 March 2025
Today, the EU Commission has published a report assessing the work of the Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) since its creation over three years ago. The report highlights HERA’s achievements in strengthening EU-level preparedness and response capacities, as well as taking on new tasks, such as addressing the supply chain aspects of critical medicines shortages.
The report acknowledges HERA’s central position in the EU’s reinforced health security framework, helping to ensure that the EU is better equipped to develop, produce and deploy the medical products needed to respond to health threats. At the same time, it identifies areas where improvements are needed to make the most of HERA’s potential to protect citizens and reinforce Europe’s preparedness.
HERA strengthens the EU’s preparedness and health security
While HERA was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s report demonstrates the effectiveness, efficiency and continued relevance of its work to enhance EU-level coordination for health emergency preparedness and response.
The report also acknowledges that having a structure dedicated to medical countermeasures for pandemic preparedness and response plays an important part in enhancing policy coherence and in providing clear EU added value in health security, notably in joint procurement and stockpiling of medical countermeasures.
Recommendations to maximise HERA’s impact
The review acknowledges that HERA’s particular structure within the Commission allows close and constant relations with key stakeholders, such as Member States, industry, civil society and EU agencies. This has positively contributed to ensuring effective joint European action and cooperation with global actors to enhance health security.
The report also sheds light on areas where further work is needed, with some steps already under way:
- Reinforcing synergies between HERA and the European Centre for Disease Protection and Control, the European Medicines Agency, the Health Security Committee and the Advisory Committee on Public Health Emergencies.
- Enhancing coordination and cooperation with Member States in all stages of HERA’s activities, as well as streamlining the role of the HERA Board.
- Ensuring flexibility in HERA’s work in the area of preparedness.
- Optimising funding by ensuring access to funding mechanisms suitable for HERA’s objectives, taking into consideration the budgetary context.
- Continuing to effectively communicate HERA’s activities.
Given the many actors and policy areas that contribute to health emergency preparedness and response, HERA will continue to prioritise seamless and strengthened cooperation with all stakeholders in its work.
Background
HERA was established in October 2021 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant it was set up at speed, and the Decision establishing HERA as a Commission service called on the Commission to carry out an in-depth review by 2025. This would look at implementation of HERA’s work, its structure and governance, and address in particular any need to modify HERA’s mandate, as well as the financial implications. The Commission was tasked with reporting on the findings of the review to the European Parliament, to the Council and to the HERA Board.
The report adopted today reviews the implementation of the operations and functioning of HERA. It draws upon the results of a thorough consultation of external and internal stakeholders. In particular, it is based on the results of an external study – comprising a public consultation, a call for evidence, targeted surveys and interviews and a literature review, an internal consultation of Commission services and EU agencies, and the views of other stakeholders, including positions from both the European Parliament and the Council.
The report feeds into the Commission’s overall efforts to bolster health security and preparedness in the EU, including strengthening resilience and preparedness on the lines set out in President Niinistö’s report.
For more information
- HERA Review
- External study
- Synopsis report
- HERA Decision
- Communication introducing HERA
- Communication on the European Health Union
- Communication on addressing medicine shortages in the EU
- HERA website
Quote(s)
HERA has made Europe stronger against health threats. It’s helped us prepare, respond, and secure supplies of critical medicines. This is what preparedness in practice looks like. The report shows the progress made and the steps we must take to improve. We will keep working to ensure we are ready for future health challenges and to keep Europeans safe.
Roxana Mînzatu, EVP for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness
The EU is exposed to an increasing number of risks. Stepping up preparedness is essential to effectively protect our citizens. Nowhere is this more important than in health. This report shows the essential role HERA plays in making us more resilient and better prepared. HERA was established in the midst of the worst pandemic in a century, its role has been essential to strengthen EU response to it and to make us better prepared for the next health emergency. It has become our first line of defence in the fight against health threats and a central pillar for a strong Preparedness Union.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
Source – EU Commission