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

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Gerard CAUDRON (EUL/NGL, France) made several amendments to the Commission's proposal. In order to fight HIV/AIDS in developing countries, participating Member States, together with Norway, are setting up a research and development programme entitled "The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership" (EDCTP Programme). EUR 600 million is to be seen as a target figure, with the participating Member States contributing up to EUR 200 million. The programme will be administered by a partnership board, which will ensure a balanced participation of experts from the participating European States and from the developing countries involved in the programme. It will define the strategy of the programme to be approved by the common structure. The latter will have legal personality and be the recipient of the Community contribution. The arrangements for the financial participation of the Community and the rules relating to financial liability and to intellectual property rights will be adopted jointly by the Commission and the common structure, in accordance with the financial regulation applicable to the Community budget. Parliament insisted on a high level of participation of developing countries. Provisions relating to intellectual property rights aim to ensure that the people of developing countries have easy and affordable access to the research results produced by activities under the EDCTP Programme and to the products directly deriving from its results. The Commission must conduct an evaluation of the EDCTP Programme at the end of five years.�