WRITTEN QUESTION E-0168/03

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 January 2003)

Subject: Policy to prevent the spread of the MRSA bacteria

At present there is no common European policy to combat the spread of the MRSA bacteria and policy differs from one Member State to another. For instance, the Netherlands has a very restrictive policy in comparison with most other European countries. With success, as the Netherlands is one of the countries with the lowest incidence of MRSA. The policy differences between countries mean that access to hospitals in the Netherlands is more difficult for patients from abroad, because of the fear of the spread of the bacteria.

1. Can the Commission indicate what differences there are between the Member States' policies to prevent the spread of the MRSA bacteria?

2. Does it consider a common European policy desirable in this matter, not least from the point of view of access to hospitals for patients from other Member States?

3. Does it intend to take measures under the new action programme for public health to promote such a Community policy?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2003)

1. The latest report from the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Scheme (EARSS)(1), a Commission funded project, shows that southern European countries, plus Ireland and the United Kingdom report Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) proportions of over 30 %, whereas northern European countries have proportions of MRSA in bacteraemia patients below 1 %.

In December 2000 a survey was undertaken by Eurosurveillance (bulletin subsidised by the Commission) on current surveillance policies on antibiotic resistance in the Community(2). This survey, by means of questionnaires completed by public health authorities in the 15 Member States, revealed that most countries issued national guidelines specifically devoted to prevention of hospital-acquired infections (like MRSA), but the survey does not provide details on the content of policies to prevent the spread of MRSA.

However, the Council Recommendation on the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in human medicine(3), is designed to ensure that specific strategies to contain antimicrobial resistance are implemented at national level. The Recommendation requires Member States to report to the Commission on its implementation at the latest by November 2003. These reports will provide details of national policies.

2. The same Council Recommendation charges the Commission with the task of supporting Member States' efforts to contain antimicrobial resistance through the Community Network on the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases. The Council Recommendation and the Community strategy against Antimicrobial Resistance(4) provide the basis for further Community action that the Commission is taking forward with the Member States.

The Commission would like to remind the Honourable Member that the EC Treaty stresses that Member States retain responsibility for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care.

3. Under the new public health programme antimicrobial resistance, including MRSA, is of high priority. In the 2003 workplan priority is given to projects which will develop principles and guidelines for best practise on prudent antimicrobial use. Another priority in the workplan is to support information exchange and co-ordination of education and intervention programmes aimed at the community and hospitals.

(1) EARSS management team, advisory board and national representatives. EARSS Annual Report 2001. Bilthoven, the Netherlands, July 2002. Pages 95. ISBN-number: 90-6960-098-6. Available at www.earss.rivm.nl.

(2) Therre H. National policies for preventing antimicrobial resistance the situation in 17 European countries in late 2000. Eurosurveillance 2001; 6: 5-14.

(3) OJ L 34, 5.2.2002.

(4) Commission of the European Communities. Communication from the commission on a community strategy against antimicrobial resistance. COM(2001) 333 final.