WRITTEN QUESTION No. 546/98 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. The 'Di Bella' therapy: disparities in treatment
Date: 1998-03-04
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, cancer, competence of the Member States, consumer protection, equal treatment, free medical care, medicinal product, product safety, public health, therapeutics

C 310/84

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

9. 10. 98

Nor does the Community have any powers as regards the protection of civilians during exercises by military
aircraft, of the sort involved in the case in point, as the common transport policy deals only with civil aviation.
Council  Directive  94/56/EC  of  21  November  1994  establishing  the  fundamental  principles  governing  the
investigation of civil aviation accidents and incidents (1) does not, therefore, apply to military aviation.

(1)  OJ L 319, 12.12.1994.

(98/C 310/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0546/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(4 March 1998)

Subject: The (cid:146)Di Bella(cid:146) therapy: disparities in treatment

The experimental use of a form of treatment for cancer has been causing much controversy in Italy in the last few
months. The treatment was devised by Professor Luigi Di Bella and is based on the use of a substance called
somatostatin. This treatment is being provided free of charge by the Health Service in certain regions, whilst it is
still unavailable in others, which means that Italian citizens are being subjected to wide disparities in treatment.

According  to  the  local  press  and  statements  made  by  Professor  Di  Bella  himself  somatostatin  is  now  being
produced without the necessary pharmacological quality guarantees.

In the light of the above, can the Commission say:

whether it does not consider that the attitude of the Italian authorities is jeopardizing the need to safeguard
1.
public health, protect consumer rights and ensure product safety in accordance with Articles 129 and 129a of the
EC Treaty;

2.

3.

whether it does not consider that there is a disparity in the treatment received by Italian citizens;

what it thinks of the issue as a whole?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 1998)

The EC Treaty defines the tasks and competences of the Community in the field of public health and consumer
protection. According to Article 129 of the EC Treaty, Community action is essentially directed towards the
prevention  of  diseases.  In  the  case  of  cancer,  this  objective  is  pursued  through  the  (cid:145)Europe  against  cancer(cid:146)
programme. However, the specific methods of treating of diseases and the delivery of health care lie within the
competence and responsibility of the Member States.

Due to this responsibility of the Member States, the Commission is not in a position to make comments on the
management of the (cid:145)new therapy(cid:146) in Italy mentioned by the Honourable Member, and on the way in which it is
made  available.  However,  the  Commission  will  watch  future  developments  with  interest,  in  particular  the
planned clinical trial for the (cid:145)Di Bella(cid:146) therapy.

(98/C 310/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0547/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(4 March 1998)

Subject: The central dairy in Rome

With  reference  to  Mr  Fischler(cid:146)s  answer  of  27  November  1997  to  Question  E-3408/97 (1)  tabled  by  myself,
I should like to supply further information.

During the last few days the Italian press has published new information concerning the dubious management of
the Rome central dairy, which has resulted in a cash deficit of more than 57 billion.