Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-01-13-Speech-2-316"
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"en.20040113.14.2-316"2
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".
Madam President, some of the developing countries are experiencing an unprecedented health crisis, and it is in the interests of the entire world to take the steps that are needed to alleviate this crisis, and, above all, to fight it. Although the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy is aware of its limited contribution to the solution of this problem, it does stress that its contribution is essential.
On behalf of the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy, I should like to raise three points. First of all, the industrial dimension. Too many diseases are still being neglected, with no research being done into them, because no industry can see that there is anything in it for them. Not only does European industry stand disgraced by this, but it has also missed an opportunity. The European pharmaceutical industry is too lacking in innovation, and focusing on neglected diseases could provide it with a new impetus. The EU must now show political leadership in order to persuade industry to invest in diseases that have so far not been profitable. A directive or framework for neglected diseases is much needed, and we should not shrink back from unorthodox measures, subsidies, protocol assistance, tariff exemption and even the transfer of patent rights. The EU must create a framework on the basis of which it can start the dialogue and negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry about investments in research into such diseases as malaria, TB, African sleeping sickness, among others.
A second point is research. The EU must now attend to its research programmes itself. The platform for clinical trials was a step in the right direction, but what is being done in practice? The EU should draft a research agenda and identify all the gaps. Subsequently, research institutes and companies should be invited to put their names down. Incidentally, the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy appreciates all Commissioner Busquin's efforts on this score.
Thirdly, there is the issue of trade. In this respect, the decision of 30 August 2003 on the eve of the Conference in Cancún is obviously of major importance. Our committee would like to see this decision actually implemented in legislation in the pharmaceutical field. We call for the prompt implementation of this legislation. Doha should not remain an empty promise."@en1
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