EU formulates bioterrorism strategy

A European Union-wide strategy to guarantee the production, supply and availability of medicines to counteract the effects of a biological terrorist attack have been debated at a meeting between the EC and the EU pharmaceutical industry. They discussed possible threats, and how to ensure medicines are made available in emergencies. Options included the development of new treatments through market exclusivity incentives and fast-track authorisations. A policy paper on the subject is expected from the EC this winter.

'The pharmaceutical industry has a huge responsibility to provide vaccines and other medicinal products in case of an emergency. Our dialogue on access and availability of vaccines will continue,' said EU Commissioner Erkki Liikanen after the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Commission has already set up a central group of nuclear, biological and chemical experts, available 24 hours-a-day, to assist any EU Member States requesting their help in the event of a terrorist attack using such agents of mass destruction.

The EU authorities and Member States have committed themselves to collating information on serums, vaccines, antibiotics, the availability of hospital beds and to exchanging data on their respective early warning systems.