Break The Bubble - an Incisive Health podcast

A More Competitive Europe Through Smarter Health Decisions

Across Europe, a new chapter in Health Technology Assessment is taking shape. Member States are now working together to assess the clinical value of new medicines through Joint Clinical Assessments under the EU HTA Regulation. One year into its application, the conversation is moving from theory to reality. What does implementation actually look like? How are the first Joint Clinical Assessments being carried out? And why does this matter for patients, health systems and Europe’s innovation environment? In this episode of Break the Bubble, Incisive Health Senior Counsel Hans Martens sits down with Maya Matthews, Head of the HTA Unit at DG SANTE. Together, they explore how the first phase of the Regulation is taking shape, starting with oncology medicines and gene therapies. They discuss how Joint Clinical Assessments are aligned with EMA marketing authorizations, how patients and clinicians are now involved in shaping the assessment process, and how cooperation at EU level aims to reduce duplication while increasing transparency and quality. What could this mean for innovation, for trust in decision-making and for access to new medicines across Europe?

Healthy populations: The role of the health care sector

Across Europe, health systems are at a critical turning point. Ageing populations, workforce shortages and rising care needs are testing the sustainability of our model and deepening inequalities across Europe. The question is no longer whether change is needed, but how quickly and how efficiently we act. In this episode of Break the Bubble, Incisive Health Senior Counsel, Hans Martins sits down with, Jan De Maeseneer, a leading voice in primary health care, former chair of the DG SANTE Expert Panel on effective ways of investing in health, he now heads the WHO Collaborating Centre for Family Medicine and Primary Health Care at Ghent University. Together they explore what it will take to move from reactive sick care towards more resilient, person- centred health systems. They discuss why strengthening primary and community care matters, how prevention and population- based approaches can ease pressure on health systems, and what can be done to reduce widening health inequalities. What happens if we fail to act, and what opportunities open up if we get this transformation right?

Shaping the Future of Europe’s Health Systems: a Conversation with the OECD

The future of Europe’s health systems is at a crossroads. Ageing populations, workforce shortages, rising costs, and the lessons of COVID-19 are putting resilience at the top of the agenda. But how can governments adapt rigid systems, embrace digital transformation, and ensure patients truly benefit from innovation? In this episode of Break the Bubble, Incisive Health’s Senior Counsel Hans Martens sits down with Francesca Colombo, Head of the Health Division at the OECD. Together they explore what it will take to make Europe’s health systems more resilient, more innovative, and ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

Inside the Danish EU Presidency: a health policy perspective

With Denmark taking over the EU Council Presidency on 1st July 2025, a new chapter in European health policy is about to begin. In this episode of Break the Bubble, Incisive Health’s Senior Counsel Hans Martens is joined by Edward James Smith, Head of the EU Office at the Danish Ministry of the Interior and Health. They talk about Denmark’s priorities for the months ahead — from strengthening Europe’s preparedness to boosting competitiveness — and why these themes matter now more than ever. What role will Denmark play in driving progress on key health files such as the Critical Medicines Act and the Pharmaceutical Package? And how can this presidency help set the tone for Europe’s health agenda in the years to come?

EHDS unpacked: what it means for patients, policymakers and innovation

The European Health Data Space, or simply the EHDS, was officially launched in March 2025, marking a major milestone in the EU’s vision for a more connected and data-driven health system. But turning that vision into reality prompts a long list of practical questions about data, trust, innovation, and the roles of Member States, industry, and patients alike.  In this episode of Break the Bubble, Incisive Health’s Senior Counsel Hans Martens sits down with Fulvia Raffaeli, Head of DG SANTE’s Digital Health unit at the European Commission. The two discuss where implementation stands today, what it will take to make the EHDS work across 27 countries, and why now is the time for stakeholders to get involved. * What will the roll-out of the EHDS look like in practice, and who’s responsible for making it happen? * How can we ensure trust and interoperability across national systems, while leveraging the full potential of AI? * And how can the EHDS drive innovation, empower patients, while also creating real value for health systems, researchers, and industry?