(2004/C 88 E/0061)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2003)

Subject:   World Medicines Bank for poor countries

An increasingly broad body of opinion is in favour of setting up a World Medicines Bank for developing countries whose poverty deprives them of even the most basic medicinal products that are taken for granted in any civilised society.

Those in favour of the setting up of such a bank consider that the current attitude of the rich countries — which, totally absorbed by their quest for growth and wealth, are blind to the urgent need to help a large section of the world's population that is suffering from a shortage of medicinal products and is obliged to live with pain on a daily basis as a result — reflects a dismaying lack of solidarity.

What view does the Commission take of the calls by a large section of the world population for the setting up of a World Medicines Bank, and would it be prepared to take the lead in this matter, at least vis-à-vis the current and new EU Member States?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(8 August 2003)

The Commission has been and is at the forefront of increasing access to affordable pharmaceutical products, especially in the fight against human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), malaria and tuberculosis (TB). In 2001 the Commission adopted a Programme for Action (PfA) entitled Accelerated action on HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB in the context of poverty reduction. This action plan aims at increasing the impact of existing interventions, increasing the affordability of key pharmaceuticals, and encouraging research in and development of specific global public goods to tackle HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB at the national, regional and global level. This Programme has received more than EUR 1 billion.

Two years after its adoption the PfA remains a comprehensive, forward looking and coherent Union policy framework aimed at making a significant contribution towards improved country, regional and global action against the three communicable diseases. The Commission will continue to work on a long term approach within the framework of the Doha Declaration on trade related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS) and Public Health. The Commission will continue to promote tiered pricing, technology transfer and local production, to facilitate sustained access to affordable medicines. This approach is complemented by investment in the development of better preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic products through increased funding through the 6th Research Framework Programme. Furthermore, the Union has strongly supported the creation of the Global Health Fund, which targets the financing of specific projects: the Union contributes up to 55 % of the EUR 4,5 billions which are allocated to this Fund.

Given these elements, the Commission does not see the added value of creating new institutions in this field.