The article by Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis highlights the plight of a vast patient community in the EU, comparable in size to Poland's population or over ten times that of Lithuania. Despite their numbers, this group faces significant healthcare barriers, as they navigate through 27 different health systems, each with its own rules and obstacles. Alarmingly, only 5% of these patients receive the treatments they need, primarily because appropriate medicines are still unavailable for many of them. They often find themselves caught in a labyrinth of diagnoses, bureaucratic red tape, and the uncertainties of traveling abroad for care.

The author points out that such problems could be avoided if Europe moved towards a more unified healthcare approach rather than adhering to the 27 distinct national systems that currently govern health services. There is a pressing need for disease databases to facilitate the treatment of these complex conditions. While countries like China and the USA have set up more cohesive health data systems, the EU, with its larger population, continues to grapple with inconsistent regulations regarding patient data and registries.

In response to these ongoing challenges, the European Commission has proposed the introduction of a 28th registration regime for European businesses, which could symbolize a move towards greater integration of health systems across member states. This approach could potentially streamline access to healthcare for patients and alleviate the burdens they currently face. The article encourages policymakers to seize this opportunity to enhance the European healthcare framework, ensuring that no patient is left behind in the pursuit of necessary medical treatment.