WRITTEN QUESTION E-0254/04 by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission. Global TB Drug Facility.
Date: 2004-02-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, aid policy, health aid, infectious disease, medicinal product

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/491

The Commission is aware that

the absence of bank guarantees is often a problem for
2. and 3.
investment projects in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP). For this and other reasons, the
Commission is currently looking into the possibilities of providing guarantees. There are two ongoing
activities. First, the main instrument for private sector development, the EUR 2,2 billion investment facility
(IF) managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), has the possibility to provide guarantees to banks. A
recent study of the EIB has confirmed the need to develop local financial markets and the potential use of
guarantees for this purpose. The IF committee will discuss in the coming months if and how bank
guarantees should be granted by the EIB. Second, the Commission, together with the ACP secretariat, is
currently conducting a study on the international guarantee system. The goal of this study is to analyse if
there are needs for guarantee instruments in ACP countries that are not covered by the existing guarantee
system. The Commission will make sure that the issue of bank guarantees is duly taken into account in
this study and that an appropriate follow-up of the recommendations of this study will take place.

(2004/C 88 E/0503)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0254/04

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 February 2004)

Subject: Global TB Drug Facility

Does the Commission have any intention to make a contribution to the Global TB Drug Facility? If so,
could it give an indication of the amount it would propose?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2004)

The Commission recognises the important role the Global TB Drug Facility (GDF) plays within the Stop TB
partnership to expand access to, and availability of, high-quality TB drugs to facilitate global Directly
Observed Treatment Short-regime (DOTS) expansion to control TB worldwide.

The Commission does not intend to provide direct support to the GDF. Its support is provided as part of
for Action: accelerated action on the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired
the Programme
immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), malaria and tuberculosis in the context of poverty reduction,
which established a broad and coherent Community response for 2001-2006. Community programmed
support through the various financial instruments to confront HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, will
total close to EUR 1 200 million (annual average of EUR 300 million) for the period 2003-2006. This
figure includes support to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria: the Commission
has disbursed to the fund EUR 120 million for 2002 and has programmed support of EUR 340 million for
years 2003-2006. 17 % of the funds allocated in the initial rounds went to TB control programmes. It is
estimated that these projects will provide Directly Observed Treatment Short-Regime (DOTS) coverage for
2,8 million patients as compared with a coverage of 830 000 in 2000. Furthermore, 46 % of the funds for
all diseases are allocated to providing drugs and commodities. On the other side, almost all of the bilateral
health programmes of the Commission foresee an integrated approach to improving delivery of primary
care; this includes the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of tuberculosis, thus ensuring that anti-TB drugs
are given in an effective way that avoids the emergence of further resistance to these drugs.