Aspen Healthcare Forum, now at its tenth edition, is the major public event of Aspen Institute Romania’s Healthcare & Quality of Life Program, bringing together decision-makers, renowned specialists and researchers from the medical sector, European and national healthcare experts, representatives of non-governmental organizations and academia, representatives of health technology and pharmaceutical sector, as well as industry leaders engaged in developing health policies. Last years’ participation of several experts from abroad contributed to setting up a program community and an agenda of thematic priorities in convergence with national priorities and advanced technological solutions as well as the EU regulatory framework and WHO goals.

This year’s edition will take place in the context of the recovery from the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, which has had far-reaching implications for the health sector and beyond. While fighting the pandemic must undoubtedly remain a priority of health systems across the world, it is crucial that health systems continue to secure uninterrupted access to medical services to all other categories of patients, particularly chronic patients. Aspen Healthcare Forum 2021, organized in a hybrid format, will focus on exploring ways in which health systems can better cater to the needs of non-COVID patients and ensure continuous and universal access to medical services to all other categories of patients.

The Forum will address developments in Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence, which have a prominent, synergistic and fast accelerating role in the development of the medical field in general, and novel diagnostics and therapies in particular. Aspen Healthcare Forum 2021 will analyze both the key catalysts of a successful biotech enterprise in general, and perspectives for Romania and its region in developing the biotechnology ecosystem. The panelists and participants will discuss possible strategic investment areas – including infrastructure, new technologies, work force education, intellectual property and legislative environment – which could provide added value, contributing to the emergence of a successful biotechnology sector, strengthening the resilience of health system long term, as well as economic growth.

Oncology remains a particularly challenging topic for Romania and the region. Already a priority at the level of European Union, as the newly launched “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” shows, fighting cancer should also be a national priority in Romania. In this context, Aspen Healthcare Forum 2021 will discuss a strategic approach, analyzing how a Romanian National Plan on combating cancer should look like. The Forum will facilitate an exchange of ideas and best practices between representatives of the Working Group for Combating Cancer in the Romanian Parliament and their counterparts in the European Parliament and US Congress, in order to ensure that the Romanian National Plan would be in line with international best practices, identifying perspectives for cooperation.

Organizer: Aspen Institute Romania
Program Partners: Roche, Alliance Healthcare, Pfizer, Sanofi, Astra Zeneca
Institutional Partners: Ministry of Health; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Working Group for Combating Cancer, Romanian Parliament; European Commission Representation in Romania; National Health Insurance House; National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Balș”; National School of Public Health, Management and Professional Development; National Institute of Public Health
Knowledge Partners: Renaşterea Foundation, Think Pink Europe, Romanian Society for Vaccination Strategies and Health Promotion, Romanian Society for Microbiology
Media Partner: Agerpres

Photo album

Aspen Healthcare Forum Event Report

 

Agenda

10:00 – 10:30   Welcome Address & Keynote Speeches  

• Iulian Trandafir – Member of the Board of Trustees, Aspen Institute Romania
• Andrei Baciu – Secretary of State, Ministry of Health of Romania
• Diana Loreta Păun – Presidential Adviser, Department of Public Health, Romanian Presidential Administration
• Hans Kluge – Regional Director for Europe, WHO
  

10:30 – 11:45   Improving Access to Medical Services for Chronic Patients in the Context  of the SARS-COV-2 Pandemic
The SARS-COV-2 pandemic continues to have far-reaching implications for the health sector and beyond. While fighting the pandemic must undoubtedly remain a priority of health systems across the world, it is crucial that health systems continue to secure uninterrupted access to medical services to all other categories of patients, particularly chronic patients. The panel will explore ways in which health systems can ensure continuous and universal access to medical services to all categories of patients, with a focus on the needs of chronic patients. 

• Prof. Univ. Dr. Alexandru Rafila – Vicepresident, Chamber of Deputies / President, Aspen Healthcare & Quality of Life Advisory Board
• Adela Cojan – Acting President, National Health Insurance House
• Radu Gănescu – President, COPAC / Vice President, European Patients’ Forum Board
• Claudia Fleischer – General Manager, Roche Romania
• Iulia Ionescu – Country Lead Sanofi Romania & Moldova
• Iulian Trandafir – CEO, Alliance Healthcare Romania / Aspen Board Member

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Cristian Vlădescu – Director, National School of Public Health                  

11:45 – 12:15   Coffee Break                     

12:15 – 13:30   Shaping the Future of Healthcare: Perspectives for Romania and the Region
The panel will address developments in Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence, which have a prominent, synergistic and fast accelerating role in the development of the medical field in general, and novel diagnostics and therapies in particular. Participants will analyze both the key catalysts of a successful biotech enterprise in general, and perspectives for Romania and its region in developing the biotechnology ecosystem, while discussing possible strategic investment areas that could provide added value.

• Prof. Univ. Dr. Leonard Azamfirei – Senator, Romanian Parliament / Rector, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Târgu Mureş
• Dr. Robert Ancuceanu – President, National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Romania
• Prof. Univ. Dr. Simona Ruță – Vice-rector for Scientific Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” Bucharest
• Gabriel Dina – Corporate Affairs Manager, Pfizer

Moderator: Adrian Bot – M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Kite Pharma / Aspen Member

13:30 – 15:00   Lunch

15:00 – 17:00   Towards a Romanian National Plan on Combating Cancer (in Partnership with the Working Group for Combating Cancer in the Romanian Parliament)
Oncologic conditions remain a particularly challenging topic for Romania and the region. The panel will discuss fast access to diagnosis and treatment for cancers, as well as a framework of good practices in oncological conditions and a complete and up-to-date legislation. Discussions will focus on a strategic approach towards a much-needed Romanian National Plan on combating cancer. The panel will facilitate an exchange of ideas and best practices between representatives of the Working Group for Combating Cancer in the Romanian Parliament and their counterparts in the European Parliament and US Congress, identifying perspectives for cooperation between the Groups.

Introduction by Clara Volintiru – Associate Professor, Bucharest University of Economic Studies / Director, Aspen New Economy & Society Program

• Dr. Patriciu Achimaș-Cadariu – Chair, Working Group for Combating Cancer, Romanian Parliament / Deputy, Romanian Parliament
• The Honorable Debbie Dingell – Member of the U.S. House of Representatives / Member of the Deadliest Cancers Caucus, U.S. Congress
• Dr. Cristian Buşoi – Chair, ITRE Committee / Chair, Challenge Cancer Intergroup, European Parliament
• Mihaela Geoană – Founder and President, Renaşterea Foundation / President, Think Pink Europe
• Nick Guldemond – Senior Researcher, Leiden University Medical Center

Moderator: Dr. Marius Geantă – President and Co-Founder, Centre for Innovation in Medicine