92000E2328

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2328/00

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 July 2000)

Subject: ECT

Will the Commission consider taking steps, as part of its recently unveiled Communication on the Development of Public Health Policy (16.5.2000), to conduct a study on the use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) in the EU?

Will the Commission take into consideration the doubts surrounding the success of ECT and the diversity of its administration throughout the Member States, including human rights concerns (lack of patient consent, etc)?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 2000)

The proposal for a programme of action in the field of public health that has recently been put forward by the Commission together with the communication on the health strategy of the Community(1), aims at encouraging co-operation between Member States and the spread of knowledge and good practice. It might be possible for actions in relation to particular health interventions, such as on the quality and effectiveness of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) as well as conditions for its administration, to be undertaken under that programme after its adoption. However, such actions would have to be taken in a way which fully respects the responsibilities of Member States for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care.

In the field of research, the Commission has no ongoing or completed projects concerning electro-convulsive therapy. It is possible, however, that an application could be funded under the quality of life programme of the current fifth framework programme.

With regard to ethical considerations, Decision No 182/1999/EC of the Council and Parliament of 22 December 1998, adopting the fifth framework programme(2), stipulates in its article 7 that all research projects carried out within this Programme will be in compliance with fundamental ethical principles. Therefore should such a proposal be selected for funding, it would be subjected to an ethical review before contract negotiations could commence, thus ensuring that all ethical and national legislation of the Member States involved is respected.

(1) COM(2000) 285 final.

(2) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.