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How can we make clinical trials truly patient-centered and more accessible? At #ESMO26 in Madrid, MSD’s Patient Advocacy Connection Forum organized in partnership with WECAN brought together patient advocates and MSD colleagues to explore this question. The discussions looked at what patient centricity means in clinical research, the barriers patients can face in accessing clinical trials, and the important role patient organisations can play in helping shape research around patients’ needs. We also explored how new approaches, including AI, could help patients navigate clinical trial opportunities. The conversation included insights from EuroACT, the European Atlas on Clinical Trials in Cancer and Hematology, a WECAN-led initiative mapping the clinical trial landscape across Europe and helping identify barriers and the use of patient-reported outcomes. One message came through clearly: advancing clinical research requires not only scientific progress, but continued dialogue with the people it is ultimately intended to benefit. #ESMO26 #PatientAdvocacy #ClinicalResearch #PatientCentricity

An excellent discussion at the event From EU Ambition to National Action: Strengthening Cardiovascular Health Plans Across Europe, organised by the EFPIA - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Cardiovascular Health Platform and IPHA, highlighted the growing momentum behind the EU Safe Hearts Plan and the need to translate European ambitions into meaningful action at national level. It was a privilege to hear insights from Héctor Bueno, Coordinator of Spain’s National Cardiovascular Health Strategy; Lars Almroth, Director of Health Care at Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare; Magdalena Daccord, CEO of FH Europe Foundation; and Mike Morrissey, MSD, representing the industry perspective. A key takeaway from Mike’s intervention was that the EU Safe Hearts Plan and the proposed Council Recommendation on Cardiovascular Health Checks offer an important opportunity to strengthen prevention and early detection across Europe. Turning this ambition into impact will require sustained political commitment, effective implementation and collaboration across the health ecosystem, while embedding cardiovascular health within broader cardiometabolic strategies. The discussion reinforced a shared view across panelists: Europe has an unprecedented opportunity to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, but the real challenge now is implementation. The focus must shift from strategy to delivery, ensuring that the benefits of prevention and early detection reach citizens across all Member States. Photo: © 2026 Spark Photo #SafeHeartsPlan #CardiovascularHealth #CardiometabolicHealth #Prevention #EUHealth

Prevention needs to keep pace with Europe’s changing demographics. That was one of the important themes emerging from #EURespiDay at the European Parliament. Longer lives are one of Europe’s great achievements. But ageing populations also make it increasingly important to rethink how we approach prevention throughout life. Thank you Steering Group on Prevention of Respiratory Infections for advancing this important European policy conversation. Strengthening prevention can help protect people as they age while contributing to more resilient health systems. #Immunisation #HealthyAgeing #RespiratoryHealth #HealthPolicy

Your health has a story to tell. Knowing your numbers helps you hear it sooner. During EU Screening Week, MSD joins partners across Europe in supporting prevention, by early detection and greater awareness of cardiovascular risk factors. The #EUSafeHeartsPlan has created important momentum for cardiovascular health. Now is the opportunity to turn that ambition into action through broader access to health checks, stronger prevention efforts and collaboration across healthcare systems. This includes making cardiovascular risk assessment more systematic and ensuring that key indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, BMI, Lp(a), smoking status and immunization status are considered as part of routine health assessments. Looking at these factors together provides a more complete picture of cardiovascular risk and can support earlier preventive action. Together with policymakers, healthcare professionals, scientific societies and patient communities, we can help make prevention more visible, practical and effective. #KnowYourNumbers #EUScreeningWeek #WorldHeartDay

Healthy Ageing as a cornerstone of Europe’s economic security Europe's demographic transition is no longer a prospect; it is already reshaping healthcare systems, labor markets and public finances across the continent. With the EU’s population aged 75+ projected to increase by more than 50% by 2050, this will require deep societal and policy adaptations to ensure that healthy and active ageing becomes a reality. At Bruegel - Improving economic policy Annual Meetings 2026, Mike Morrissey, Head of Public Policy for Europe & Canada at MSD, joined policymakers and experts to discuss how Europe can better anticipate rising longevity needs and the uncertainty that comes with them through disease prevention and health innovation. "As Europe looks ahead to a rapid demographic transition, we need a thorough understanding not only of the scale of societal needs, but also an enhanced focus on prevention and innovation as key pillars of EU’s economic security. Better data collection, stronger prevention and collaboration across society will be essential to designing responses that are sustainable, resilient and inclusive." One message resonated throughout the discussion: adapting to Europe's demographic changes is not solely a health policy challenge. It is an economic, social and workforce challenge that requires long-term thinking and coordinated action. Health prevention is key to mitigate the growth of long-term care needs in the coming decades. At MSD, we believe supporting healthy and active ageing starts with investing in prevention and innovation. From immunization and cardiovascular health to cancer care, helping people stay healthier for longer can contribute not only to better health outcomes, but also to more sustainable healthcare systems and societies. Thank you to Bruegel and fellow panelists for a valuable exchange on one of Europe's most important long-term challenges. #BAM26 #AgeingEurope #Prevention #Innovation #Vaccines #CardiovascularHealth #CancerCare #HealthPolicy #MSDEurope

Millions of Europeans live with cardiovascular risk that could be identified earlier and managed more effectively. That is why implementation of the #EUSafeHeartsPlan matters. At #ESCCongress2026, experts, policymakers and clinicians have gathered to discuss a crucial question: how can Europe translate cardiovascular policy ambition into measurable improvements in prevention, screening and care? The discussion highlighted a critical reality: despite growing awareness of cardiovascular disease, significant gaps remain in prevention, screening and risk management across Europe. In particular, speakers underscored the continuing burden of uncontrolled LDL cholesterol, one of the most important and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Yet too many people remain undiagnosed, untreated or undertreated, missing opportunities to reduce their cardiovascular risk. A recurring theme throughout the session was that successful implementation of the EU Safe Hearts Plan will require more than ambition. National cardiovascular health plans must be evidence-based, aligned with clinical guidelines, focused on prevention and early detection, and supported by adequate resources. We were particularly grateful to have MEP András Kulja travel to Munich to participate in the session and hold meetings with representatives of the European Society of Cardiology, cardiologists and other stakeholders. As Andras highlighted during this session, the #EUSafeHeartsPlan is a framework that should be used by national governments to create or update National Cardiovascular Plans, including the importance of the forthcoming #KnowYourNumbers campaign. Maintaining momentum and translating European priorities into meaningful national action will be critical in the years ahead. The conversation reinforced a simple but important point: tackling Europe's cardiovascular epidemic requires coordinated action across policy, clinical practice, prevention and public awareness. Thank you to all experts, including Professor Borge Nordestgaard, President of EAS, and Professor Susanna Price Vice President of ESC, who contributed valuable perspectives from the leadership of medical societies. #ESCCongress2026 #CardiovascularHealth #SafeHearts #Prevention #LDLCholesterol #HealthPolicy #MSDEurope