Brussels, 07/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - According to Belgian Health Minister Laurette Onkelinx, reporting the outcome of that part of the EPSCO Council devoted to health issues on Tuesday 7 December, a large majority of the 27 EU countries support a joint system for the purchase of vaccines and anti-viral medicines to improve the ability to respond to a major health crisis, in particular a flu pandemic. The usefulness of such a system was underlined by the way in which the A(H1N1) flu pandemic was handled, where massive differences in member states' abilities to acquire vaccines and anti-virals were revealed. A majority of member states support the establishment of European framework contracts which would set out the general conditions that apply to the purchase of the products concerned, no matter the purchasing country. In this context, member states would continue to be responsible for building up their own stocks. The debate demonstrated that, while ministers all lay great store on the notion of fair access to treatment, they disagree once again on the level of cover to be achieved. This level varies between 2% and 20%. It will be for member states to decide whether or not to join the joint purchase system, but the framework contract ought to make provision for a minimum quantity of vaccines to be purchased, Onkelinx said. Discussions will now continue in the health safety committee.
Ministers also called on the Commission and member states to put in place, by the end of 2012, an action plan on chronic illnesses and a European cancer action plan. (O.J./transl.rt)