WRITTEN QUESTION P-3380/02 by Rosemarie Müller (PSE) to the Commission. Silver fibre high-tech clothing for neurodermatitis sufferers.
Date: 2002-11-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: competence of the Member States, health expenditure, health insurance, health policy, man-made fibre, new technology, therapeutics

8.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110 E/211

(cid:1) Guarantees by both the Belgian State and Berlaymont 2000 as to the execution of the works and
burden-sharing in case of ‘unforeseen events’ and in the event of proven fraud by third parties.

The signing of the Convention with the Belgian government took place on 23 October 2002. The
Commission is currently establishing a programme of progressive occupation of the building from early
2004.

(2003/C 110 E/234)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3380/02

by Rosemarie Müller (PSE) to the Commission

(21 November 2002)

Subject: Silver fibre high-tech clothing for neurodermatitis sufferers

I understand from various scientific reports that high-tech clothing with medical uses has been developed
over the past few years and is now obtainable on the market. One of the most promising developments is
silver fibre clothing which can give significant relief to neurodermatitis sufferers and visibly improve their
skin condition.

One of the disadvantages of this approach to treatment, however, is that therapeutic clothing of this kind
is rather expensive, but
the cost of such clothing were eligible for
reimbursement from sickness insurance schemes it could even be to the latter’s financial advantage as it
would result in considerable savings in costly ointments and medicines for neurodermatitis sufferers.

the reports suggest

that

if

In the light of this is the Commission aware of this new method of treatment?

Is it taking specific account of this method in the development of health policy?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2002)

No. The Commission is not informed of this product nor of its characteristics and possible health effects.
The public health policy of the Community falls under Article 152 of the EC Treaty on the basis of which
the Parliament and Council have recently adopted a six year action programme (1). This programme has
three main areas of priority; improving health and knowledge, rapid reaction to health threats, and action
on health determinants.

The reduction of health care costs to which clothing of the type referred to could possibly contribute is
considered a matter of Member State competence and would not be covered by the above-mentioned
public health programme.

(1) Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 adopting a programme of
Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008) (cid:1) Commission statements, OJ L 271, 9.10.2002.

(2003/C 110 E/235)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3383/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(28 November 2002)

Subject: Torture in the Russian Federation

Two 17 year-old Russian nationals, Andrei Victorovitch Osenchugov and Alexei Vladimirovitch Shishkin,
were arrested on 5 March 2002 on suspicion of robbery and were transferred two days later, on the order
of the prosecutor of the Sormovski District of the city of Nizhny Novgorod, to the Nizhny Novgorod
regional pre-trial detention center (sledstvennyi izolyator) IZ -52/1, in Novgorod.