Putting consumers first - John Dalli

John Dalli, EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, has told newspaper Illum that he made a good choice when accepting his new job in Brussels.

“It was my choice and today I know it was a good choice anyway I have not disappeared from Malta. I am still informed about what’s going on, I still take interest in my country and as always I help and am ready to help out where necessary.”

He said Malta had much more to do to overcome the parochialism of its politics. "The country’s interests must come first”.

Dalli expressed great satisfaction in his portfolio as EU Commissioner. “For example the direction I am giving unto innovation is essential for Europe not to fall behind in the development of important sectors which provide jobs and competivity for European economies. Let’s also mention as an example the political agreement which the Council of the Health Ministries agreed upon last Tuesday so that European citizens are able to choose to cure themselves in other countries."

Dalli said that amongst his priorities are having accessibility to medicines in all countries. "For a large number of people it is a stronger equality in health between different countries and social sectors and the developments of iteroperability in the e-health sector. There is also better information and education for the consumer in order to interpret and apply it for his own good, greater emphasis on prevention, quality insurance of bought products and food eaten and animal health welfare."