EU Solidarity and Policy in Fighting Infectious Diseases: State of Play, Obstacles, Citizen Preferences and Ways Forward

Amsterdam Centre for European Studies Research Paper No. 2020/06

Amsterdam Law School Research Paper No. 2020-17

Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance Research Paper No. 2020-03

31 Pages Posted: 7 Apr 2020 Last revised: 20 May 2020

See all articles by A. de Ruijter

A. de Ruijter

University of Amsterdam - Law Centre for Health and Life

Roel M. W. J. Beetsma

University of Amsterdam - Research Institute in Economics & Econometrics (RESAM); European Commission; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute); Tinbergen Institute; Netspar

Brian Burgoon

University of Amsterdam

Francesco Nicoli

University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR)

Frank Vandenbroucke

University of Amsterdam

Date Written: April 4, 2020

Abstract

In this paper we confront the role the EU traditionally plays in the domain of health with the urgent need for collective action triggered by the corona virus pandemic. In the face of such a crisis, we argue that the joint procurement, stockpiling and allocation of medical countermeasures is a key component of true European solidarity, besides maintaining the integrity of the Single Market. We present the first results of a survey experiment taken before the current crisis on citizens’ attitudes towards centralizing at the EU level of policies to combat infectious diseases, which indicates considerable support. We conclude that a more robust policy framework with substantial centralization of procurement, stockpiling and allocation is warranted.

Keywords: Covid-19, medicines, European Union, centralization, coronavirus

JEL Classification: I10, I18

Suggested Citation

de Ruijter, Anniek and Beetsma, Roel M. W. J. and Burgoon, Brian and Nicoli, Francesco and Vandenbroucke, Frank, EU Solidarity and Policy in Fighting Infectious Diseases: State of Play, Obstacles, Citizen Preferences and Ways Forward (April 4, 2020). Amsterdam Centre for European Studies Research Paper No. 2020/06, Amsterdam Law School Research Paper No. 2020-17, Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance Research Paper No. 2020-03, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3570550 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3570550

Anniek De Ruijter (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam - Law Centre for Health and Life ( email )

Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
Amsterdam, 1018 WV
Netherlands

Roel M. W. J. Beetsma

University of Amsterdam - Research Institute in Economics & Econometrics (RESAM) ( email )

P.O.Box 15867
Amsterdam
Netherlands
+31 20 525 5280 (Phone)

European Commission ( email )

Rue de la Loi 200
Brussels, B-1049
Belgium

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.CESifo.de

Tinbergen Institute ( email )

Gustav Mahlerplein 117
Amsterdam, 1082 MS
Netherlands

Netspar ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

Brian Burgoon

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Spui 21
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

Francesco Nicoli

University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR) ( email )

Amsterdam Roeterseilandcampus
Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
Amsterdam, 1018 WV
Netherlands

Frank Vandenbroucke

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Spui 21
Amsterdam, 1012 WX
Netherlands
+31 (0)20 525 6037 (Phone)

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