WRITTEN QUESTION E-2325/01 by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission. Obstacles to the publication of research results which have important public health and consumer implications.
Date: 2001-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: antibiotic, consumer protection, dissemination of information, industry-research relations, medical research, pharmaceutical industry, unfair terms of contract

C 40 E/238

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

(2002/C 40 E/258)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2325/01

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Obstacles to the publication of research results which have important public health and consumer

implications

In order to conduct research into antibiotic resistance, research laboratories need supplies of antibiotic
powder. It is the practice of some pharmaceutical companies to condition sale of this powder on an
undertaking by the laboratory not to publish their research results without obtaining permission from the
company.

Is the Commission aware of this practice and does the Commission share the view that this restrictive sales
practice not only infringes the rules on the free movement of goods, but also raises serious concerns for
public health and consumer protection? Can the Commission indicate what action it proposes taking to
put an end to this practice?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(10 October 2001)

to written questions P-1509/01 by Mrs Doyle (1) and P-1770/01 by
As indicated in its answer
Mrs Banotti (2) respectively,
the Commission has already taken contact with several pharmaceutical
companies concerning their policies with respect to supplies of antibiotic powder for research purposes. It
in general, pharmaceutical companies are ready to supply
is the Commission(cid:146)s understanding that,
antibiotic substances for research purposes. In addition, the majority of these antibiotic substances may be
purchased directly through commercial warehouses.

The Commission understands that it is standard practice for some companies who supply antibiotic free of
charge to researchers to request undertakings from these researchers to ensure that the research is
legitimate and appropriate vis (cid:224) vis public health and to request sight of the research results in advance of
publication. The Commission has no element to consider that these requests have any impact either on the
free movement of pharmaceutical goods or on issues of public health and consumer protection. The
Commission does not intend to take any action in this field.

In this respect, it is worth mentioning that the issue of antimicrobial resistance forms an inherent part of
the Community(cid:146)s health strategy and comprises actions in all the relevant sectors including public health,
veterinary and phytosanitary. In June 2001, the Commission adopted a communication on a community
strategy against antimicrobial resistance (3), including details of its proposals in the area of research and
product development and a proposal for a Council recommendation on the prudent use of antimicrobial
agents in human medicine (3).

(1) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001, p. 245.
(2) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001.
(3) COM(2001) 333 final, Volume I.

(2002/C 40 E/259)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2337/01

by Maurizio Turco (TDI) to the Commission

(26 July 2001)

Subject: Internal restructuring of OLAF

On 3 July, as part of its internal restructuring, the European Union(cid:146)s Office to combat corruption and
fraud affections the EU(cid:146)s financial interests (OLAF) introduced a new structure for its directorate C, which
is to deal with (cid:145)intelligence, operational strategies and information technologies(cid:146).

What are the specific tasks of this directorate?