Combating Aids, malaria and tuberculosis: research partnership Europe/developing countries

The committee adopted the report by Gérard CAUDRON (EUL/NGL) broadly approving the Commission proposal, subject to a number of amendments under the codecision procedure (1st reading). MEPs insisted on improvements to the programme, especially as regards intellectual property rights, the focus of the research and administrative procedures. They wanted the rules on intellectual property rights to ensure that people in developing countries have easy and affordable access to any new medicines produced thanks to the programme and they wanted these products to be effective, simple to use, as cheap as possible and suited to conditions in developing countries. MEPs said that, as well as helping to develop new products, particularly drugs and vaccines, to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, the programme should also help to improve existing products against these diseases. Furthermore, when preparing clinical trials for new action against the three diseases, co-existing infections should also be taken into account. The report also said that the programme should promote the transfer of technologies to the developing countries. It added that experts from both North and South must be involved in devising the programme and that it was important to ensure a high level of involvement of developing countries at all stages. Moreover, the activities provided for under the programme should be undertaken in cooperation with patients' groups, NGOs and the WHO. Lastly, the committee was concerned to ensure that the Commission was given sufficient control over Community funds managed by the common structure and that the relevant documents were made available to Parliament. It also called for the Commission to submit a thorough evaluation report to Parliament and the Council, focusing particularly on the strengths and weaknesses of the management by the common structure.�