On February 24, 2015, the European Parliament Interest Group on Brain, Mind and Pain will be launched in cooperation with the European Federation of Neurological Association (EFNA) and Pain Alliance Europe (PAE). The interest group will focus on issues of common interest for those affected by neurological and chronic pain disorders and will be co-chaired by MEPs Marian Harkin (Ireland – ALDE), Jeroen Lenaers (the Netherlands – EPP) and Daciana Octavia Sârbu (Romania – S&D).
More specifically, the Interest Group on Brain, Mind and Pain aim to encourage research into and access to innovative treatments promote prevention and self-management approaches, decrease stigma and improve quality of life for those suffering from a neurological or chronic pain disorder. To secure that these goals are reached, the interest group calls on European policy-makers to:
- Support patient-led campaigns to educate, eradicate stigma and raise awareness of neurological and chronic pain disorders
- Improve regulation to better enable research to develop innovative options in the prevention and treatment of these disorders
- Strengthen patient involvement in this research, and in policy-setting and decision-making
- Implement relevant European social legislation to ensure appropriate support for people living with neurological and chronic pain disorders
Prior to the launch of the interest group, EFNA and PAE ran an information stand in Strasbourg during the Parliamentary Session on January 13-14, at which they managed to get 41 MEPs to sign their Register of Supporters. More information on the Interest Group can be found via the hashtag #brainmindpain on twitter and on EFNA’s homepage.