EC budget for drugs programme released

Published: 17-May-2002


Formal proposals have been released by the European Commission for a programme to help spread medicines fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries. The plans include budget lines of €26.1m (US$23.2m), covering aid from January 2003 to December 2006.

EU ministers have been asked to approve a regulation allowing this money to be spent on medical supplies, financial and technical assistance, as well as audits and monitoring of the disease and treatment programmes.

Key aims would include increasing 'the affordability of key pharmaceuticals' and boosting 'the research and development of vaccines, microbiocides and innovative treatments'. Grants would be paid to the private sector, specialist public agencies, local government bodies, community groups, non-governmental organisations, research institutes and universities.

A Commission memorandum on the proposal said: 'Despite the impressive achievements of health investments, the burden of preventable communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, in developing countries is still very high.'

The Commission has also proposed incentives to encourage European pharmaceutical manufacturers to develop specialist children's medicines.

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