26. 2. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 50/59 
Proposal for a Council Regulation relating to a research and development coordination programme of 
the European Economic Community in the field of medical and health research 
(1987 to 1989) 
COM(86) 549 final 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 29 October 1986) 
(87/C 50/02) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social 
Committee, 
Whereas Article 2 of the Treaty assigns to the Community 
the task inter alia of promoting throughout the Community 
a harmonious development of economic activities, a 
continuous and balanced expansion and an accelerated 
raising of the standard of living; 
Whereas, by Decision 78/167/EEC (*), as amended by 
Decision 81/21/EEC (2), and Decisions 78/168/EEC (3) 
and 78/169/EEC (4), the Council has adopted three 
concerted projects as a first programme in the field of medical 
and public health research; 
Whereas, by Decision 80/344/EEC (5), the Council adopted 
a second research programme in the field of medical and 
public health research; 
Whereas, by Decision 82/616/EEC (6), the Council adopted 
a third and sectoral research programme in the field of 
medical and public health research; 
Whereas the fourth research and development programme, 
dealt with by this Regulation, appears necessary to attain in 
the course of the operation of the common market the 
objectives of the Community as regards the harmonious 
development of economic activities, a continuous and 
balanced expansion and an accelerated raising of the 
standard of living, account being taken in particular of 
potential economic and industrial development within the 
fields covered by the research areas; 
(») OJ No L 52, 23. 2,1978, p. 20. 
(2) OJ No L 43, 13. 2. 1981, p. 12. 
(3) OJ No L 52, 23. 2. 1978, p. 4. 
(4) OJ No L 52, 23. 2. 1978, p. 20. 
(5) OJ No L 78, 25. 3. 1980, p. 24. 
(6) OJ No L 248, 24. 8. 1982, p. 12. Whereas the Member States intend, in accordance with 
the rules and procedures applicable to their national 
programmes, to carry out all or part of the research indicated 
in Annex I, and are prepared to integrate such research 
into a process of coordination at Community level until 
31 December 1989; 
Whereas the cost of the research indicated in Annex I, 
performed in the Member States, is estimated at more than 
1 000 million ECU; 
Whereas in its resolution of 25 July 1983 the Council 
adopted a first framework programme for Community 
research, development and demonstration activities (7); 
Whereas Community research in the field of medical and 
health research has contributed effectively to the aim of 
improving safety and protecting health within the objective 
of improving living and working conditions; 
Whereas the European Council in Milan on 28 and 29 June 
1985 emphasized the value of launching a European action 
programme against cancer; 
Whereas, pursuant to the conclusions of further European 
Councils, the respective research part dealt with by this 
Regulation would constitute the contribution of medical 
research and development towards such programme of 
action; 
Whereas AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a 
rapidly increasing transmissible disease of the greatest 
concern to the public health authorities of the Member 
States; whereas the European Parliament in its resolution of 
13 March 1986 (8) called on the Commission to give priority 
to research into AIDS in the new medical research 
programme for the period 1987 to 1989; 
Whereas the representatives of the Governments of the 
Member States, meeting within the Council, stated in their 
resolution of 29 May 1986 on AIDS that research efforts in 
the Community and coordination of such efforts are 
therefore of special importance (9); whereas the respective 
research part dealt with by this Regulation would meet either 
demand; 
(7) OJ No C 208, 4, 8. 1983, p. 1. 
(8) OJ No C 88, 14. 4. 1986, p. 83. 
(9) OJ No C 148, 23. 7. 1986, p. 21. 
No C 50/60 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 2. 87 
Whereas the Community is empowered to conclude 
agreements with non-member States in the fields covered by 
this Regulation; whereas it may prove advisable to associate 
the non-member States participating in European 
cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research 
(COST) wholly or partly with the programme covered by this 
Regulation; whereas by Decisions 82/178/EEC ('), 
83/224/EEC(2), 83/225/EEC (3), 85/150/EEC (4), 
86/71/EEC(5) and 86/233/EEC (6) the Council has 
concluded or amended such agreements on concerted 
projects in the field of medical and public health research; 
Whereas the Treaty has not provided the necessary 
powers; 
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee 
(CREST) has delivered its opinion, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
Article 1 
A research and development coordination programme of the 
European Economic Community in the field of medical and 
health research is hereby adopted for a period of three years 
commencing on 1 January 1987. 
The programme shall be carried out by means of the 
concerted action method. 
The programme shall consist in coordination at Community 
level, within the research areas described in Annex I, of those 
activities which form part of the research programmes of the 
Member States. 
Article 2 
The Commission shall ensure the implementation of the 
coordination programme. 
Article 3 
The funds estimated as necessary for the Community 
contribution to the coordination amount to 37 million ECU, 
which includes expenditure on a staff of 12. 
The internal and indicative allocation of these funds is set out 
in Annex II. 
Article 4 
1. In the execution of its tasks, the Commission shall be 
assisted by an Advisory Committee for Research in Medicine 
(») OJNoL83, 29. 3. 1982, p. 1. 
(2) OJ No L 126, 13. 5. 1983, p. 1. 
(3) OJ No L 126, 13. 5. 1983, p. 7. 
(4) OJ No L 58, 26. 2. 1985, p. 26. 
(5) OJ No L 75, 20. 3. 1986, p. 31. 
(6) OJ No L 158, 13. 6. 1986, p. 58. and Health, hereinafter designated 'the committee', which 
replaces the Advisory Committee for Management and 
Coordination 'Research in Medicine and Health' instituted 
by Council Decision 84/338/Euratom, ECSC, EEC (7). 
The committee shall be composed of Member State 
representatives responsible for science and technology in the 
area of medical and health research, and in particular for the 
coordination of national contributions to the programme, 
with a maximum of two per Member State. 
The members of the committee may be assisted by experts or 
advisers according to the nature of the problems to be dealt 
with. 
The committee shall establish its rules of procedure. 
The committee may be assisted by 'concerted action 
committees' (COMAC) composed of experts designated 
by the competent authorities of the Member States. It may 
also be assisted by working parties entrusted with specific 
tasks. 
The Commission shall ensure the secretariat of the 
committee. 
2. The committee shall debate on opinion requests 
formulated by the Commission. The latter, when asking for 
the opinion of the committee may set a deadline for the 
opinion to be given. The discussions of the committee shall 
not be concluded by a vote. However, each member of the 
committee may require his opinion to be registered in the 
minutes. 
Article 5 
Implementation and coordination of the national 
contributions to the programme shall be carried out by the 
national bodies in the list given for guidance in Annex III. 
Article 6 
In accordance with a procedure to be laid down by the 
Commission, after having consulted the committee, the 
participating Member States and the Commission shall 
regularly exchange all useful information concerning the 
execution of the research covered by this Regulation. The 
participating Member States shall provide the Commission 
with all information relevant for coordination purposes. 
They shall also endeavour to provide the Commission with 
information on similar research planned or carried out by 
bodies which are not under their authority. Any information 
shall be treated as confidential if so required by the Member 
State which provides it. 
(7) OJ No L 177, 4. 7. 1984, p. 25. 
26. 2. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 50/61 
On completion of the programme, the Commission, in 
agreement with the committee, shall send to the Member 
States and the European Parliament a summary report on the 
implementation and results of the programme, particularly 
so that the results obtained may be accessible as rapidly as 
possible to the enterprises, institutions and other parties 
concerned, especially in the social area. Article 8 
The amounts which have been authorized in the 
corresponding items of the 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 
1986 budgets and which, on 1 January 1987, have been 
committed but not yet settled, shall be used in implementing 
this Regulation. 
Article 7 
In accordance with Article 228 of the Treaty, the Community 
may conclude agreements with the non-member States 
participating in European cooperation in the field of 
scientific and technical research (COST) with a view to 
associating them wholly or partly with this programme. Article 9 
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1987. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly 
applicable in all Member States. 
ANNEX I 
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CONTENT 
(Coordination programme 1987 to 1989) 
The coordination programme, for which the expenditure commitments are estimated at 37 million ECU, 
comprises the following two sub-programmes: 
SUB-PROGRAMME I: MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEMS 
Target 1.1: Cancer 
Area 1.1.1: Cancer research training scheme 
Area 1.1.2: Clinical treatment research 
Area 1.1.3: Epidemiological research 
Area 1.1.4: Early detection and diagnosis 
Area 1.1.5: Drug development 
Area 1.1.6: Experimental (fundamental) research 
Target 1.2: AIDS 
Area 1.2.1: Disease control and prevention 
Area 1.2.2: Viro-immunological research 
Area 1.2.3: Clinical research 
Target 1.3: Age-related health problems 
Area 1.3.1: Reproduction 
Area 1.3.2: Ageing and diseases 
Area 1.3.3: Disabilities 
Target 1.4: Environment and life-style-related health problems 
Area 1.4.1: Breakdown in human adaptation 
Area 1.4.2: Nutrition 
Area 1.4.3: Consumption of illicit drugs 
Area 1.4.4: Infections 
No C 50/62 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 2. 87 
SUB-PROGRAMME II: HEALTH RESOURCES 
Target II. 1: Medical technology development 
Area II. 1.1 
Area II. 1.2 
Area II. 1.3 Diagnostic methods and monitoring 
Treatment and rehabilitation 
Technical and clinical evaluation 
Target II.2: Health services research 
AreaH.2.1 
Area II.2.2 
Area H.2.3 
Area II.2.4 Research on prevention 
Research on care delivery systems 
Research on health care organization 
Health technology assessment 
ANNEX II 
INDICATIVE INTERNAL DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS 
(1987 to 1989) 
SUB-PROGRAMME I: MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEMS 
Ta,6« 
Target I.l 
Target 1.2 
Target 1.3 
Target 1.4 Title 
Cancer 
AIDS 
Age-related health problems 
Environment and life-style-related health problems Million 
ECU 
11,05 
5,45 
5,65 
3,35 % 
30 
15 
15 
9 
SUB-PROGRAMME II: HEALTH RESOURCES 
T„m 
Target II. 1 
Target II.2 Title 
Medical technology development 
Health services research 
Total Million 
ECU 
6,95 
4,55 
37,00 % 
19 
12 
100 
ANNEX III 
IMPLEMENTATION AND COORDINATION OF THE NATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS 
TO THE PROGRAMME 
The authorities of the participating Member States, listed below for guidance, will endeavour to ensure the 
implementation of the national contributions to the respective research areas indicated in Annex I, as well as their 
coordination at national level: 
Belgium: 
Denmark: Ministere de la sante publique et de la famille, Bruxelles 
Service de programmation de la politique scientifique, Bruxelles 
Statens laegevidenskabelige Forskningsrad, Kobenhavn 
26. 2. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities 
France: INSERM — Institut national de la sante et de la recherche medicale, Paris 
Ministere des affaires sociales et de la solidarite nationale, Paris 
Federal Republic of Bundesminister fur Forschung und Technologie, Bonn 
Germany: Bundesminister fur Jugend, Familie und Gesundheit, Bonn 
Bundesminister fur Arbeit und Sozialordnung, Bonn 
Greece: Ministry of Energy, Research and Technology, Athens 
Ministry of Health, Welfare and Social Security, Athens 
Ireland: Medical Research Council of Ireland, Dublin 
Department of Health, Dublin 
Italy: CNR — Consiglio nazionale della ricerca, Roma 
Istituto superiore di sanita, Roma 
Luxembourg: Ministere de la sante, Luxembourg 
Netherlands: Ministry of Welfare, Health and Culture, Leidschendam 
TNO/MEDIGON: Stichting voor Medisch Onderzoek en 
Gezondheidsonderzoek 
Portugal: National Institute of Health, Lisbon 
Spain: Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, Madrid 
CSIC — Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Madrid 
United Kingdom: MRC — Medical Research Council, London 
DHSS — Department of Health and Social Security, London