Anales de la RANM

107 A N A L E S R A N M R E V I S T A F U N D A D A E N 1 8 7 9 FEAM’S ROLE IN SHAPING HEALTH POLICY IN EUROPE Breedveld F An RANM. 2026;143(01): 107 - 110 FROM NATIONAL EXPERTISE TO EUROPEAN IMPACT. FEAM’S ROLE IN SHAPING HEALTH POLIC Y IN EUROPE DE L A EXPER I ENC I A NAC I ONAL AL IMPAC TO EUROPEO. E L PAPE L DE F EAM EN L A CONF I GURAC I ÓN DE L AS POL Í T I C AS SAN I TAR I AS EN EUROPA Ferry Breedveld 1,2 1. President of FEAM (Federation of European Academies of Medicine). 2. Member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Autor para la correspondencia Ferry Breedveld E-Mail: f.c.breedveld@gmail.com DOI: 10.32440/ar.2026.143.01. dle01 D I S C U R S O S Y E X P O S I C I O N E S Enviado: 13.02.26 | Revisado: 24.02.26 | Aceptado: 26.03.26 European health policy is entering a phase of sustained complexity, marked by the conver- gence of demographic change, rapid technological development, geopolitical uncertainty, and rising expectations from citizens regarding access to care, innovation, and protection. Decisions taken at European level increasingly shape national health systems, clinical practice, research priori- ties, and regulatory frameworks, often with direct and immediate consequences for professionals and patients alike. At the same time, the pace of policy development, driven by political urgency and societal pressure, does not always align naturally with the rhythms of medical science, which depends on careful evaluation, accumu- lation of evidence, and professional judgment formed over time. This growing gap between decision making and medical reality raises a fundamental question for Europe. How can health policies remain scientif- ically sound, clinically relevant, and ethically grounded, while responding to urgent political and societal demands. It is precisely at this intersec- tion that academies of medicine have a critical role to play. By combining scientific authority, clinical experience, and institutional independence, they are able to offer a form of collective reflection which complements the speed and pragmatism of policy processes, without being detached from real world constraints. The Federation of European Academies of Medicine, has the responsibility of representing this collective voice at European level. FEAM brings together national academies of medicine and medical sections of academies of sciences f rom across Europe, each deeply rooted in its own health system and scientif ic tradition, yet united by a shared commitment to evidence based medicine, professional integrity, and ser vice to society. Holding this position goes beyond institutional representation. It entails the responsibility to ensure that medical science informs European health debates in a way which is timely, credible, and firmly connected to the realities of clinical practice and public health. FEAM was created to respond to a simple but enduring challenge. As European integration in health related fields advanced steadily, medical expertise remained largely organised at national level, while key decisions affecting regulation, research, data governance, and preparedness increasingly moved to the European sphere. The federation exists to bridge this divide, allowing the experience and knowledge of European medicine to inform policy discussions in Brussels and beyond, while remaining anchored in national contexts and professional practice. This article reflects on FEAM’s position within the European science and policy landscape and outlines the strategic priorities which guide its work today. It draws on accumulated experience, published outputs, and recent strategic discussions, and seeks to contribute to the scientific and profes- sional dialogue at a moment when informed and independent medical advice is more necessary than ever. FEAM was founded in the late 1990s, at a time when European integration was accelerating in areas with direct consequences for health, including research policy, medicines regulation, and public health coordination. National academies of medicine were increasingly aware that decisions taken at European level were shaping national frameworks, while the medical voice remained fragmented and insufficiently visible in European debates. FEAM emerged as a federation rather than a centralised body, designed to respect the autonomy of its members while allowing their expertise to be expressed collectively and more effectively at European level. Over time, FEAM has developed into a network bringing together academies of medicine and medical sections of academies of sciences from across Europe. Its membership reflects a wide range of health systems, clinical cultures, and scientific traditions, which strengthens the relevance of its work by ensuring that advice reflects both shared European challenges and the practical realities faced by health professionals in different national settings. Throughout this evolution, FEAM’s mission has remained consistent. It aims