WRITTEN QUESTION E-0160/02 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Haemoglobin variant HbC as an anti-malaria remedy.
Date: 2002-02-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Italy, disease prevention, genetics, research and development, scientific research, tropical disease

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/17

(2003/C 28 E/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0160/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Haemoglobin variant HbC as an anti-malaria remedy

(1 February 2002)

On 17 January 2002 the Italian weekly ‘Panorama’ published a report stating that a team of researchers at
Rome University under Dr David Modiano have discovered that HbC, a genetic variant of haemoglobin,
can be an effective cure for the most severe strains of malaria.

This study, carried out on over 4000 subjects from the Mossi ethnic group (Burkina Faso), points to
protection levels of 29 % for heterozygotes (those in whom the mutated gene is present in only one
chromosome) and 90 % for homozygotes (those in whom the mutation affects both chromosomes). This is
the first time that a genetic mutation proves to be advantageous for homozygotes. The researchers
consider that this haemoglobin variant will eventually supplant the others in the region.

Given the inherent value of this research and the recent reappearance of tropical diseases in Europe:

1. Can the Commission state whether it is aware of this research?

2. Can it give information on the incidence of malaria in the EU?

3. Has it financed research in this field?

4.

If so, does it believe that the findings of this research require assessment?

5. What initiatives does the Commission intend to take to aid the African communities which are still

seriously afflicted by this disease?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2002)

1.
The Commission is aware of the studies referred to by the Honourable Member. It provided funding
for project IC18-CT98-0361, which involved researchers from Italy and groups from the United Kingdom,
Sweden, Mali and Burkina Faso under the international cooperation programme in the context of the
Framework Programme for
research and technological development. The Community contribution
amounted to EUR 490 000.

2.
Reported cases of malaria in the Community increased by 49 % between 1995 and 1999, and
totalled 12 758 (99 % imported and very few indigenous cases) in 1999. The malaria situation in the
Community is essentially attributable to a sustained increase in cases of malaria imported from tropical
and subtropical countries where the disease is endemic. A resurgence of the transmission of malaria has
been observed in the New Independent States (NIS) of the Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as variable
levels of incidence in Turkey. The constant increase in international travel (see communication from the
World Tourism Organisation, 1998), its extension to areas with a high transmission density and frequent
non-observance of individual protection methods are responsible for this increase. Germany, France, Italy
and the United Kingdom are the Community Member States most affected (a table reviewing the situation
in the Member States will be sent to the Honourable Member and Parliament’s Secretariat).

The Commission is and intends to remain one of the main sources of funding for malaria research.

3.
Over 100 projects have been funded in the past.

4.
Any contribution to knowledge about the physiopathology and biological bases of malaria may be
very worthwhile in the context of the current efforts to combat this disease. However, research is
increasingly targeting the development of effective measures such as vaccination and ready access to
malaria treatment regimes.

C 28 E/18

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

The Commission provides substantial support to strengthen health systems in African countries
5.
through project, sector and general budget support. This helps countries to provide prevention and care
for malaria control, which is a key element of national health strategies in Africa. The Commission is also
implementing a programme for accelerated action against human immunodeficiency virus/acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, diseases associated with poverty.
The programme seeks to increase the impact of existing proven measures (particularly ensuring ready
access to effective malaria treatment regimes and wide use of insecticide-treated nets); to increase access to
affordable pharmaceuticals; and to increase research and development of new generations of drugs and
vaccines. The Commission has been closely involved in the establishment of the Global Fund to fight HIV/
AIDS, TB and Malaria and sits on the inaugural governing board. Pledges to this new financing instrument
stand at USD 1,9 billion (the Community has pledged an initial EUR 120 million).

It is expected that an additional USD 500-700 million will be available to countries in 2002, with the first
grants to be announced in April 2002. Much of this will benefit malaria control efforts in Africa.

(2003/C 28 E/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0203/02

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 February 2002)

Subject: Protecting consumers by imposing conditions on the refusal by businesses to accept payment with

coins of one, two or five euro-cents

Does the Commission recall that all decimal currencies which were previously the legal tender in the
1.
existing Member States of the European Union were originally divided into 100 cents and in some cases
even 200 half cents, and that one-cent coins and other small coins only disappeared in a number of
countries after the cent had almost completely lost its value as a result of currency devaluation?

2.
Did the fact that the smallest values in the majority of the old currencies were worth around two
euro-cents play a part in the fixing of the value of the euro (cid:1) and consequently of the cent (cid:1) at the end
of 1998? If not, why not?

3.
In introducing the euro, was the basic principle adopted that the smallest coins to be issued (cid:1) namely
those of one euro-cent (cid:1) were to be of sufficient value to enable them to go on being used in cash
payments in the long term, thereby putting an end to the gap previously occurring between calculated
prices and actual payment as a result of the fact that, in cash transactions, prices had to be rounded up, for
example, to five or 10 times the value of the cent because of a lack of suitable coins?

4.
In some Member States, such as Finland, was it assumed right from the start that coins of one and
two euro-cents would have no part to play, with the result that only small numbers of such coins were
produced and they can be refused? Can individual Member States decide to abolish coins of one euro-cent
or coins of other sizes?

Are shops and other businesses allowed to refuse to accept payment in coins of one or two euro-
5.
cents and possibly other coins and notes? Is the refusal to accept such payment still linked to the old
condition that large sums cannot be paid using a large amount of small coins, or are there now other legal
grounds for refusal?

6.
Is the Commission prepared, in consultation with the Member States and the ECB, to take steps to
ensure that businesses will only be permitted to decide, on grounds of internal considerations relating to
cash management and administration, to refuse to accept small coins in circulation on condition that this
leads to prices being reduced to the lowest multiple of the smallest coin accepted (2, 5 or 10 euro-cents)
and never to rounding up being imposed?