Focus on Life Sciences Policy and Patient Access to the Latest Treatments in Copenhagen
On May 26, Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė and Deputy Minister Daniel Naumovas participated in the Nordic and Baltic Health Ministers’ Summit in Copenhagen. At the meeting, Denmark’s Minister of Health Sophie Løhde presented the priorities of Denmark’s EU Council Presidency, highlighting the importance of Nordic and Baltic cooperation in shaping EU health and life sciences policy.
“Lithuania is consistently striving to become a regional hub for life and health sciences innovation. To create favorable conditions for the rapid development of the life sciences sector, it is necessary to remove legal barriers that hinder its growth. A supportive investment climate requires EU-level coordination and clear rules,” Minister Jakubauskienė said during the discussion “Patient-Centered Approach to Life Sciences.”
During the summit, the Nordic and Baltic health ministers discussed patients’ opportunities to participate in clinical trials and access the latest treatments, regardless of a country’s size or financial capacity. Achieving this requires close collaboration among the Nordic and Baltic countries. Political measures needed to ensure equal access to the latest treatments were also discussed.
The event also covered joint pharmaceutical procurement opportunities and challenges, as well as the use of health data to ensure supply security.
Participants were introduced to the innovative “Face Your Fears” program developed by the Copenhagen Mental Health Research Center, which uses virtual reality (VR) technology to treat mental health disorders. Members of the Lithuanian delegation tried the VR simulation and interacted with patients sharing their personal experiences.
Additionally, Minister Jakubauskienė, together with Lithuania’s Ambassador to Denmark Asta Radikaite, met with representatives of Novo Nordisk. They discussed Lithuania’s health innovation priorities, including accessibility and clinical research. Leaders of the Novo Nordisk Foundation presented the foundation’s investments in research and the use of health data. All profits of the foundation are reinvested into science, innovation, and sustainability.