Federal Ministry of Health (Germany)

The Federal Ministry of Health (German: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, pronounced [ˈbʊndəsminɪsˌteːʁiʊm fyːɐ̯ ɡəˈzʊnthaɪt]; abbreviated BMG) is a cabinet-level ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is the highest German federal government department responsible for health. The ministry is officially located in Bonn and with a second office, which houses the ministry's management, located in Berlin. History The Federal Ministry of Health was founded in 1961; in 1969 it was merged with the Federal Ministry for Family and Youth to create the new Federal Ministry for Youth, Family and Health. In 1991, the Federal Ministry of Health was restored. In 2002, it was expanded to include social affairs and renamed "Federal Ministry of Health and Social Security" (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit und Soziale Sicherung). It was headed by the Federal Minister for Health and Social Security. Its portfolio included one part of the former Federal Ministry of Labour and the Social Order. The other part of the latter was added to the portfolio of the newly created Federal Ministry for Economics and Labour. Under the grand coalition headed by Angela Merkel in 2005, the portfolio reshuffle was reversed and responsibility for social affairs was moved back to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social affairs (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales). Ministers Political Party: CDU CSU SPD Green FDP Responsibilities of the Federal Ministry of Health The Federal Ministry of Health is responsible for: maintaining the effectiveness and efficiency of the statutory health insurance and long-term care insurance systems maintaining and enhancing the quality of the health care system strengthening the interests of patients maintaining economic viability and stabilization of contribution levels preventive and prophylactic healthcare the Protection against Infection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz, or IfSG) establishing guidelines for the manufacture, clinical trial, approval, distribution channels and monitoring of medicines and medical devices. The objectives are: quality, medical efficacy and safety safety of biological medical products such as blood products narcotics and addiction risk prevention prevention, rehabilitation and disability policy medical and occupational rehabilitation disability law providing assistance to the disabled and promoting their interests European and international health policy, including the work of the Federal Government Narcotics Officer and the patients' ombudsman. Supervisory role The Federal Ministry of Health is responsible for the comprehensive (disciplinary) supervision of the following governmental institutions: Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (German: Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, abbreviated BfArM) in Bonn, Federal Institute of Public Health (German: Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit, abbreviated BIÖG) in Cologne, Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), the Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines in Langen, Hesse, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the Federal Research Institute for Disease control and Prevention in Berlin. The Federal Ministry of Health is also responsible for the non-disciplinary supervision of the Federal Office for Social Security (German: Bundesamt für Soziale Sicherung, abbreviated BAS) and the legal supervision of the umbrella organizations of the statutory health insurance schemes. See also European Commission's Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection (SANCO) Federal Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (2002–2005) References External links Official Website (in German) Official Website (in English)