The health emergency preparedness and response authority (HERA): a consumer perspective

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic there was a shortage of essential equipment for consumers such as masks, whilst intensive care units at hospitals sometimes ran out of medicines. The European Health Emergency preparedness and Response Authority can help prevent these deficiencies from happening again.

For HERA to ensure that consumers have timely and affordable access to crisis-relevant medicines, medical devices and equipment:

• Research and Development (R&D) and production processes must be steered and aligned with the public interest. 

• There must be a good public return on investment. 

• HERA has to be transparent in its functioning. 

• Consumer groups must be included in HERA's activities.

• HERA must work in sync with international initiatives.