Plenary sitting
26.1.2011 B7‑0075/2011
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
further to Question for Oral Answer B7‑0006/2011
pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure
on the Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI) – practical implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy with a view to meeting MDG 6 and eliminating tuberculosis by 2050
Louis Michel, Charles Goerens, Antonyia Parvanova, Frédérique Ries, Olle Schmidt
on behalf of the ALDE Group
European Parliament resolution on the Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI) – practical implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy with a view to meeting MDG 6 and eliminating tuberculosis by 2050
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI), an independent non-profit-making organisation and the only European organisation of its type, established with Commission support, which promotes the urgent development of new vaccines and contributes, and makes its experience available, to a European network,
– having regard to the heavy investment by the European Union and its Member States (through Framework Programmes 5, 6 and 7) in research and innovation aimed at developing vaccines against tuberculosis,
– having regard to the Lisbon Strategy aim of establishing a European innovation and research area, the Europe of Innovation initiative, EU 2020 and the flagship initiative ‘Innovation Union’,
– having regard to the World Health Organization (WHO) ‘Stop Tuberculosis’ programme which has set itself the objectives of a 50% reduction in tuberculosis prevalence and mortality rates, from a 1990 baseline, by 2015 and eliminating the disease by 2050,
– having regard to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDG) objectives of halting the increase in the incidence of tuberculosis by 2015 and reversing the trend,
– having regard to the European Union’s priorities as defined in December 2005 in the European Consensus on Development,
– having regard to the G8 summit in June 2007 and the launch of the ‘Providing for Health’ initiative for the development of sustainable, equitable and ‘pro-poor’ health financing systems with universal coverage,
– having regard to the Commission’s 2010 communication ( COM(2010)0128 ) on the EU role in global health,
– having regard to the meeting of the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, in New York in October 2010,
– having regard to the WHO report entitled ‘Multidrug and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (M/XDR-TB): 2010 global report on surveillance and response’ (WHO/HTM/TB/2010.3), on the worrying emergence of strains of tuberculosis resistant or highly resistant to treatment,
– having regard to the Berlin Declaration on Tuberculosis – ‘All Against Tuberculosis’ (EUR/07/5061622/5, WHO European Ministerial Forum, 74415) of 22 October 2007,
– having regard to the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) report, which put at EUR 2 billion a year the cost of treating tuberculosis in the EU alone (EASAC Policy Report 10, March 2009, ISBN: 9789-0-85403-746-9),
– having regard to its resolution of 7 October 2010 on healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa and global health ( 2010/2070(INI) ),
– having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the TBVI Foundation was established following the success of the TBVAC programme (2004-2009), an EU-funded framework programme that aimed to identify new tuberculosis vaccine candidates,
B. whereas, four years away from the deadline for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the incidence of tuberculosis in the world remains a cause for concern, despite the progress made,
C. whereas tuberculosis is still one of the main causes of death in the world, with almost 2 million victims per year, and it remains a threat to people in Europe,
D. whereas the global rate of success in treating the disease peaked at 87% in 2008,
E. whereas, in developing countries, tuberculosis is one of the main obstacles to development in terms of health, and it is still a threat at world level,
F. whereas the epidemic of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis poses a serious problem,
G. whereas tuberculosis is one of the major diseases involved in cases of co-infection with HIV/Aids,
H. whereas tuberculosis provides a striking example of inequality between peoples – having been almost eliminated in the industrialised countries although, especially in the form of resistant and multi-resistant strains, it shows worrying signs of making a comeback there,
I. whereas new vaccines are needed, given that since 1921 there has been only one type of vaccine available, the BCG, which is not effective enough and protects only very young children (against paediatric TB),
J. whereas treatments are no longer effective because the disease has become highly resistant to them, and the method of diagnosis in use is the same one used by Robert Koch in 1882, with a detection rate of just 50% at best,
K. whereas the World Bank estimates the annual economic loss to Africa as a result of tuberculosis at USD 52 billion, while losses at global level, according to the same source, represent 0.52% of the world’s GDP,
L. whereas the pan-European TBVI partnership has made fundamental advances in the development of new and effective vaccines against tuberculosis, and the knowhow and innovation which these represent confirm the EU’s leadership in the field,
M. whereas these innovative developments deserve to receive the funding needed to generate added value both within the Union and in those countries and continents for which tuberculosis is a heavy burden,
N. whereas the aim, despite budgetary constraints, is to invest 3% of GDP in R&D ( COM(2010)2020 and COM(2010)0546),
1. Emphasises that only a programme involving a sweeping campaign of vaccination would be capable of making a positive impact in terms of realising MDG 6 after 2015 as planned, especially with regard to eliminating tuberculosis by 2050;
2. Considers that only the best vaccines – in combination with better testing and diagnosis and more effective forms of treatment – are of crucial relevance in combating the disease, and that this implies a significant shift in the focus of research and, ultimately, increased and sustainable financing;
3. Considers that the TBVI, which serves people suffering from tuberculosis everywhere in the world and notably in the least developed countries, is a suitable vehicle for practical implementation of the EU 2020 strategy, thus potentially reinforcing the Union’s strategic independence in the fight against tuberculosis and other transmissible diseases;
4. Calls for an immediate increase in international financing, as aid from public funds is no longer sufficient to meet the needs and challenges in developing countries;
5. Underlines the fact that the Commission’s contribution of EUR 49 billion makes it still the number one donor of public development aid;
6. Considers that there is an urgent need to explore innovative channels of financing, such as the establishment by the Member States and/or the Union of a financial guarantee to enable funding for the TBVI to be obtained from the European Investment Bank;
7. Considers that a financial guarantee with predictable repayment of the debt created offers a means of minimising financial risk while supporting research and development, and will ensure responsible use of the monies involved;
8. Points out that every child has the right to benefit from vaccination and immunisation programmes; points out, too, that 8.8 million children under the age of five (half of them in sub-Saharan Africa) still die every year from preventable and curable diseases; emphasises that the TBVI aims to develop two types of vaccine: priming vaccines and children’s booster vaccinations;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Member States, the heads of the TBVI Foundation and the WHO.