WRITTEN QUESTION E-1614/00 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Use of somatostatin in the treatment of osteosarcomas.
Date: 2000-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, cancer

C 89 E/60

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

Moreover, the criticisms attracted by the ECB appear largely unjustified. The ECB, which is a new
institution responsible for the monetary policy of a new economic entity, has showed the ability to react
flexibly and appropriately to economic developments. The ECB has used a variety of communication tools
(cid:129) e.g. the quarterly hearings of its President before the Parliament, the monthly press conferences which
follow the meetings of the governing council, its monthly bulletins and annual reports (cid:129) to explain the
reasons for its monetary policy decisions and the underlying monetary policy strategy.

3.
It is debatable whether the ECB has been less open to public scrutiny than the Bank of England. The
ECB has been open through a wide array of communication tools. These include written documents,
namely the ECB monthly bulletins and the annual report, the press releases and research papers; the
monthly press conferences of the President and Vice-President of the ECB after the meetings of the
governing council; the (at least) quarterly hearings of the ECB President in the Parliament; the numerous
public appearances of executive board members.

4. and 5.
appropriate and well-tuned to changing economic circumstances.

The Commission is of the view that the conduct of monetary policy by the ECB has been

Furthermore, on the basis of the reasons stated above, there should be no automatic presumption that the
rules and procedures followed by the Bank of England could or should be transposed in their entirety to
the Eurosystem. Each issue has to be assessed on its merits in the specific context of EMU.

It should be stressed that, while the Commission takes part in the public discussion on economic policy
and thus also on monetary policy, deciding on the monetary policy strategy and on the most appropriate
communication strategy for the Eurosystem (including the potential publication of minutes and voting
patterns) is, on the basis of the EC Treaty, an exclusive responsibility of the ECB.

(2001/C 89 E/058)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1614/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Use of somatostatin in the treatment of osteosarcomas

Six months ago, the National Cancer Institute financed a study at five major US cancer research centres
into the use of somatostatin in the treatment of osteosarcomas, one of the most malignant forms of
tumour. The study was to receive further financing for one year if it proved successful (halting or reducing
tumours without toxic effects). However, an NCI document shows that, as a result of the positive findings,
the study has received further funding in all five centres, confirming the efficacy of the product which is
the basis of the method used by Dr Di Bella. Further confirmation of the effectiveness of this treatment is
provided by the decisions by more than 40 Italian courts requiring local health care units to offer this
treatment on the basis of reports by cancer specialists.

The Commission:

1.

Is it aware of the decision taken by the National Cancer Institute?

2. Does it know of any similar studies conducted in Europe and their findings?

3. Why not include a study of this kind in its four-year research programme?

4.

Is somatostatin included in any of the Member States(cid:146) pharmaceutical tables as a tumoricidal drug and,
if so, in which ones?

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/61

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(19 September 2000)

1.
The Commission is not aware of any decisions taken by the National cancer institute (NCI). It has
identified the listing by the NCI of a recent clinical phase I study of a somatostatin analogue, of which the
outcome will become known in about three years time. However, this study does not use the Di Bella
method (1).

2.
The Commission is not aware of any similar studies carried out in Europe. Such trials are subject to
national controls and information may be available from the national agencies. More information may also
be available from the European Osteosarcoma Intergroup (Chairman: Antonie Taminiau, e-mail: A.H.M.ta-
miniau@lumc.nl)

3.
The Commission does not finance clinical studies. This is usually the sole remit of the pharmaceutical
company, which would like to obtain the market authorisation following a set of established regulations,
directives and procedures guaranteeing a high level of safety, quality and efficacy of any drug before
entering the market. Nevertheless, any European research institution is free to participate in the research
programmes of the Community, if the eligibility criteria are met, following a peer review by independent
experts and depending on the available budget.

4.
Somatostatin or its long-acting analogues octreotide and lanreotide are not licensed through the
European centralised or mutual recognition procedures. The Commission is not aware of the nationally
authorised indications in all Member States. It appears, however, from the information in Martindale, The
Complete Drug Reference, 32nd edition published 1999, that somatostatin and its analogues are not
indicated as tumouricidal drugs in the Member States.

(1) Phase I Study of Octreotide Pamoate With or Without Tamoxifen in Patients With Osteosarcoma (Summary Last

Modified 07/2000), Protocol Ids: NCI-95 (cid:129) C-0119I, NCI-T96-0047N.

(2001/C 89 E/059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1629/00

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 May 2000)

Subject: Personnel changes in the European Commission

On 4 May 2000, Commission Kinnock informed the EP of the Commission(cid:146)s personnel policy with regard
to senior appointments:

Candidates for A1 and A2 jobs are interviewed by a panel of senior officials which is now assisted by
an advisory external expert with relevant experience in executive selection. That panel makes an
objective assessment of the professional and managerial qualities and capabilities that are relevant to
the post and recommends a shortlist. The shortlisted candidates are then interviewed by the portfolio
Commissioner who is most directly concerned with the post (and also, in the case of A1 officials, by
the Commissioner for Personnel). The Commissioner responsible for Personnel then formally proposes
to the College the candidate who has been agreed upon with the portfolio Commissioner and with the
President of the Commission.

Can the Commission explain how this procedure was followed with regard to the previous day(cid:146)s
appointment of Mr O(cid:146)Sullivan, Mr Trojan, Mr Petite and Mr Levi?