France and Germany Strengthen Ties: A Blueprint for Europe's Connected Care Future

At the HIMSS25 Europe conference held at the iconic Palais des Congrès in Paris, a high-level panel featuring French and German health officials marked a defining moment for digital health collaboration in Europe. In a discussion filled with optimism, realism, and shared ambition, France and Germany laid out a roadmap for cross-border digital therapeutics (DTx) integration and innovation — with the promise of a formal partnership on the horizon.

The session, moderated by Louisa Stüwe, Project Director of the Digital Health Delegation at France's Ministry of Labour, Health and Solidarity, brought together Dr. Lars Hunze, Senior Policy Advisor at Germany's Federal Ministry of Health, and Dr. Vincent Vercamer, Project Director within the same French ministry.

Germany's Digital Health is Gaining Momentum

Kicking off the session, Dr. Hunze offered a confident assessment of Germany's digital health strategy. "The patient is alive and well," he said, referring to the success of DiGA, Germany's framework for fast-tracking and reimbursing digital health applications.

Five years into the initiative, the data speaks volumes: over 60 DiGA-approved apps are reimbursed through public insurance, with prescription numbers surging by 67% year-over-year, reaching approximately 200,000 between 2023 and 2024. "We've seen particularly strong traction in mental health, where digital tools are helping close gaps in access to care," he noted.

France's PCAN Pilot Shows Steady Growth

France, too, is forging its own path through PCAN (Pilot for Cancer Digital Applications and Nutrition), a focused initiative supporting digital tools for cancer patients. Dr. Vercamer shared that 11 applications have been submitted so far, with three approved, and prescription activity doubling from 80 to 200 per month.

"These are encouraging signs," he said. "While we're still below our target of 50 applications by 2026, this is expected at the early stage of a new regulatory ecosystem. What matters is that patients are beginning to benefit."

Bridging Challenges with Shared Solutions

As the conversation turned toward challenges, both speakers emphasized the need for integration and clarity — not only for healthcare systems, but for the innovators behind the technologies.

Dr. Hunze highlighted the importance of embedding digital health tools into clinical routines, ensuring they support — not complicate — the work of doctors and nurses. "We have to move from a tech-first mindset to a patient-first strategy," he said. "Digital tools must be evaluated on how they fit into the healthcare journey, not just on their novelty."

Dr. Vercamer echoed the sentiment, noting that many startups struggle to navigate the evaluation process. "Today, innovators submit their dossiers without always understanding what's expected of them. We need to provide clearer guidance and reduce friction — without lowering our standards."

The writing has been enhanced using AI tools but the content and subject topic is 100% human and the work of credited individual.