PROCURE Community of Interest Forum-CoIF: A Collaborative Platform to Transform Healthcare Procurement in Europe 

The PROCURE project is proud to announce the launch of the Community of Interest Forum (CoIF), a dynamic online space designed to revolutionise public procurement practices in the European healthcare sector. This forum brings together diverse stakeholders, including healthcare procurers, suppliers, policymakers, academics, and end-users, to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation. 

Hosted on the PROCURE Web platform, the CoIF serves as a hub for sharing expertise, discussing challenges, and developing innovative solutions to improve procurement systems in response to evolving healthcare needs. By creating an inclusive and collaborative environment, the forum aims to ensure procurement processes are efficient, transparent, and adaptable to future crises. 

Key Characteristics of the CoIF 

The CoIF is structured around five thematic areas, each led by PROCURE partners to address critical aspects of healthcare procurement: 

  • Procurement Practices: Analysing the performance of public procurement systems, with a focus on modern approaches such as Value-Based Procurement (VBP), Innovative Procurement, and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to strengthen resilience. (Led by RSCN) 

  • COVID Crisis Lessons Learnt: Examining evidence and administrative bottlenecks faced during the pandemic to design better emergency procedures. (Led by National Centralised Health Procurement Authority and SPS) 

  • Security of Supply: Ensuring the availability and accessibility of healthcare services and products during emergencies, including health threats like flu outbreaks or antimicrobial resistance. (Led by IACS) 

  • Sustainable Procurement: Integrating environmental, governance, and social factors into procurement decisions to minimise environmental impact while meeting urgent demands. (Led by MedTech) 

  • Public Procurement of Innovation: Exploring how innovative products and processes can address emergency needs, creating more adaptive procurement systems. (Led by SILO) 

The forum offers numerous advantages, including: 

  • Knowledge Exchange: Members can share insights, best practices, and research findings to address common challenges. 

  • Professional Development: Webinars, training sessions, and resource sharing enhance members’ expertise and visibility. 

  • Collaboration: Networking opportunities promote partnerships and collective problem-solving. 

  • Advocacy for Change: The CoIF advocates for effective policy changes to meet the sector’s evolving needs. 

Engaging Stakeholders 

The CoIF is open to a wide range of stakeholders, including healthcare providers, regulators, policymakers, researchers, and patient associations. To ensure active participation, the forum will feature regular webinars, surveys, and feedback mechanisms to align activities with members' needs. 

The participation of Country Nodes—healthcare organisations from various EU Member States—is vital to fostering regional collaboration and knowledge sharing. 

The CoIF is not just a forum—it is a driving change in healthcare procurement across Europe. By leveraging the collective expertise of its members, the CoIF aims to enhance the resilience of healthcare systems, ensuring they are better equipped to handle future crises while promoting sustainability and innovation.