Brussels, 1 July 2025 – From 2 to 4 June, the 61st Annual Meeting of the Association of the European Self-Care Industry (AESGP) brought together more than 200 delegates in Warsaw, Poland, to explore the evolving role of self-care in a rapidly changing world, with a particular focus on prevention.
With the theme of resilience, relevance, and responsibility at its core, the event featured high-level speakers from European institutions, national medicines agencies, healthcare professionals, patient representatives and the self-care industry, offering insights into the future of self-care product regulation, health policy, innovation, and industry’s competitiveness.
A Turning Point for Self-Care in Europe
The event opened with remarks from Jonathan Workman, President of AESGP; Ewa Jankowska, President of PASMI; and Adam Jarubas and Borys Budka, both Members of the European Parliament and Chairs of the SANT and ITRE Committees, respectively.
Speakers underscored that Europe is at a crucial juncture. With an ageing population and increasing pressure on healthcare systems, they emphasised the growing importance of empowering individuals through self-care and prevention.
“Prevention through self-care must become a central pillar of the political agenda,” they urged, calling for an enabling regulatory environment that supports access to a wide range of self-care products and fosters continuous innovation.
They also highlighted the development of an ambitious life sciences strategy and reassured delegates of their commitment to ensuring that regulation for critical medicines remains stable, predictable, and clear.
Europe’s Role in a Shifting Global Order
One of the standout sessions examined whether the world is entering a post-Western era. In a wide-ranging and provocative conversation, David Ridley, journalist at Citeline, and Professor Tomáš Sedláček, macroeconomist and well-renowned author, explored Europe’s role and competitive advantage in this emerging landscape.
Despite current uncertainty, the discussion concluded on a hopeful note. Europe continues to hold valuable assets that are worth protecting and promoting: shared values, including the respect for difference in opinion; innovation capacity; and cultural strength.
Regulatory Cooperation and Future Preparedness
The strategic direction of the European Medicines Agencies Network was another key topic. Senior representatives from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Polish Medicines Agency (URPL), the Greek Medicines Agency, and the Medicines Evaluation Board of the Netherlands shared their perspectives on the need for stronger regulatory cooperation and proactive engagement with the self-care sector.
Speakers stressed the importance of joint efforts to address growing public distrust in science and regulators, tackle the spread of misinformation, and ensure that the regulatory network remains forward-looking, resilient and fit for the future.
Industry Trends: Data, Innovation, and Market Dynamics
Beyond policy, the programme featured market-focused sessions covering self-care products trends, evolving consumer behaviour, and new business models. Contributions from IQVIA, Simon-Kucher, and financial investment experts provided delegates with data-driven insights into how the market is evolving and where new opportunities may emerge.
Parallel sessions and roundtables explored key topics, such as healthy longevity, health literacy, the value of vitamin and mineral supplements, drug-device combinations, sustainability, electronic product information, AI applications, and branding. Over 40 speakers engaged in eight workshops across two days, offering perspectives that will help shape AESGP’s policy and advocacy work for the year ahead.
Save the Date: 62nd AESGP Annual Meeting (Berlin)
The conference not only offered rich content but also valuable opportunities for connection and exchange among peers and partners.
Save the date for next year: AESGP will again bring together the self-care industry, from 2 to 4 June 2026 in Berlin, in collaboration with Pharma Deutschland.
Available Press Articles
Read more about some of the key themes of this year’s conference in five articles from HBW Insight, available for free:
- AESGP Annual Meeting: Wastewater Directive Impact Assessment ‘Fundamentally Flawed’
- AESGP Annual Meeting: Harmonizing EU VMS Max Levels Could Cost Sector Over €200m
- AESGP Annual Meeting: Commission Must ‘Think Carefully’ Before Reverse-Switching Antimicrobials
- AESGP Annual Meeting: European OTC Market Outlook ‘Very Positive’ Thanks To Prevention Trend
- AESGP Annual Meeting: Consumer Health Sector Still Safe Bet For Investors