Brussels, 11/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - Here is a quick overview of the different health concerns expressed recently in various fora of the European Union:
mental health: during the world health day, April 7, Commissioner David Byrne emphasised the need to "tackle mental health problems and fight the opprobrium and discrimination suffered by victims who have mental health problems ".
epilepsy: EUCARE (European Concerted Action and Research in Epilepsy) submitted to the European Parliament its white paper on this illness which affects six million people in Europe. This initiative was undertaken with the agreement of British conservative John Bowis who set up a group of MPs who have worked on this dossier.
breast implants: in front of the EP's petitions committee, Commissioner Erkki Liikanen said it was necessary to pursue research on the possible link between silicon implants and certain types of breast cancer. He requested exhaustive patient information on the potential risks, advantages and disadvantages of this kind of surgery. The Commission should adopt before the summer a communication on possible standards for release onto the marketplace.
tuberculosis: the "Global Alliance for TB Drug Development" has launched an urgent appeal on the development of new medicines against tuberculosis which is continuing to spread, in the context of co-infections with HIV: 8.4 million cases in 2000 (against 8 million in 1997) and a projected 10.2 million new cases per year between now and 2005.
self-medication: the AESGP (The Industry Association of non-prescription medicines) will devote its annual conference, in Rome from June 6 to 9, to the impact of the Internet on the development of self-medication.