The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drafted by Ulla Margrethe SANDBAEK (EDD, DK) sstressing its concern about the increasing figures of people affected and the high mortality resulting from HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. (Please see the summary of 02/12/03.) Parliament stressed that access to drinking water and a balanced diet are essential conditions for good public health. Access to basic health and sanitation services must be a governmental priority - and as such reflected in the Country Strategy Papers - with increased annual funding on the part of both the EU and international community and developing countries' own governments. The latter must restore basic public health services and systems.
On the question of tiered pricing, Parliament felt that a system for tiered pricing is only one of the strategies needed for obtaining affordable medical products in a sustainable way. It asked the Commission, Member States and developing countries to explore further possibilities - among them global/regional procurements - that would increase affordability of medical products for countries in need.
The complex arrangements under the agreement on TRIPS and public health adopted prior to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun may in fact obstruct access to medicines. Parliament asked the Commission to provide support for technology transfer and the establishment of local pharmaceutical and other production capacities, particularly in relation to clinical trial programmes in developing countries.
Parliament went on to urge the Commission, the Council and the Member States to ensure that national governments and the EU increase levels of support for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis so that the total contribution of the EU and Member States can meet the target set by President Prodi of delivering EUR 1 billion to the Fund.
Finally, Parliament stated that the EU should take a leading role in developing effective policy measures and partnerships on R&D of Global Public Goods with a particular focus on therapeutic and preventive technology, such as microbicides and vaccines, that meet the health needs of developing countries.�