WRITTEN QUESTION E-1676/00 by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Methylphenidate.
Date: 2000-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, competence of the Member States, drug surveillance

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/97

as well as other religious groups in India. On various occasions, the Commission delegation and Union
ambassadors have expressed their concern to the Indian government.

Moreover, the forthcoming Union-India Summit in Lisbon on 28 June 2000 will be an occasion to
reaffirm joint commitment to universal values of democracy and respect of human rights, the rule of law
and fundamental freedoms, traditions of diversity, plurality and tolerance.

(2001/C 72 E/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1675/00

by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Disabled air travellers

What steps has the Commission taken to ensure that disabled travellers do not suffer any discrimination
when travelling with flight operators within the European Union? Specifically, what action has it taken to
ensure the provision of disabled access and disabled facilities in airports and on commercial flights?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

The Commission gives priority to protecting the rights of air passengers, including disabled people, to
enable them to benefit fully from Community policy on air transport. It therefore adopted on 21 June
2000, a communication on the protection of air passengers (1). The Commission proposes legislation that,
among other things, will guarantee special assistance for disabled people free of charge, such as assistance
to and from the aircraft, and ensure that they are not denied boarding, if they have notified their disability
when boarding the ticket and received confirmation. It strongly recommends the adoption of voluntary
codes or service quality by airlines and airports to cover services for disabled people. After taking account
of responses to the communication, the Commission will propose concrete measures.

(1) COM(2000) 365.

(2001/C 72 E/118)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1676/00

by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Methylphenidate

The 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances classified Methylphenidate as having (cid:145)high abuse
potential(cid:146). What information does the Commission have on the prescription by psychiatrists in Europe of
Methylphenidate for the treatment of what is known as (cid:145)attention deficit disorder(cid:146) and on the abuse of this
substance within the EU?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 June 2000)

Methylphenidate is the active substance in a psychostimulant used to treat hyperactive attention disorders
in children.

C 72 E/98

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

The product has been authorised by the national authorities to be placed on the market. Monitoring,
especially of its prescription and abuse, is therefore carried out by those authorities.

The Commission is not responsible for medicinal products, except those covered by the Second Council
Directive 75/319/EEC of 20 May 1975 on the approximation of provisions laid down by law, regulation
or administrative action relating to proprietary medicinal products (1) where a referral is made leading, after
evaluation and the delivery of an opinion by the Scientific Committee of the European Agency for the
Evaluation of Medicinal Products, to a Commission Decision. No referral has been made to date in respect
of the above product.

The risks associated with this medicinal product are well known and the marketing authorisations are
accompanied by very detailed information for health professionals and a leaflet for users. The information
on the product must include counter-indications, warnings, precautions regarding use, undesirable effects
and instructions for use.

More generally, the risk/benefit ratio must always be evaluated before authorisation is given for a product
to be placed on the market and, if necessary, the prescription and supply conditions may be subject to
restrictions in accordance with the national authorities(cid:146) rules. As the active substance in this medicinal
product is classified as a psychotropic substance, strict conditions apply with regard to prescription and
supply.

(1) OJ L 147, 9.6.1975.

(2001/C 72 E/119)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1678/00

by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Relay Europe

Relay Europe is responsible for distributing information on the EU within the UK.

It also sells a range of products, including clothing, umbrellas, watches, badges, flags and balloons, all
emblazoned with the EU flag. In the context of the UK political debate, this is patently for consumption by
supporters of ever closer union and constitutes a political statement.

What subsidies does Relay Europe receive?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2000)

Relay Europe does not receive any subsidy from the Commission.

Relay Europe is a private organisation, part of the Charlemagne group, and is under contract with the
Commission representation in the United Kingdom. It provides logistics and organisational services for
conferences and training sessions organised on behalf of the Commission. The contract was concluded on
the basis of a call for tender won by Relay Europe in 1997. Relay Europe is not responsible for distributing
information on the Union.

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that
the Charlemagne group has another
subsidiary called Euro-Style, which sells products carrying the Union flag on a purely commercial basis.
It is up to consumers to decide whether or not to buy these products.