Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 92002E2086

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-2086/02 by Enrique Barón Crespo (PSE) to the Commission. Comprehensive treatment plan for diabetics.** 
  
*Official Journal 028 E , 06/02/2003 P. 0177 - 0178*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2086/02

by Enrique Barón Crespo (PSE) to the Commission

(12 July 2002)

Subject: Comprehensive treatment plan for diabetics

On Parliament's initiative, diabetes was included in the Sixth Framework Programme for Research as one of the medical conditions to be worked on. Since there are an estimated 19 million known diabetics in the EU (and probably a further 6 million undiagnosed), does the Commission not think that there is a need for a specific comprehensive priority plan (involving harmonisation of the individual Member States' regulations) relating to the disease which, in Europe, causes one death every six minutes?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 September 2002)

Although diabetes is one of the large public health problems facing Europe, Article 152 of the EC Treaty limits the competence of the Community in the field of public health by stating that Community action in the field of public health shall fully respect the responsibilities of the

Member States for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care. In the field of diabetes, the work of the Commission has therefore concentrated on policy development and measures related to the determinants of type II diabetes, namely nutrition, obesity and physical activity. The forthcoming Community public health programme will be policy driven and will aim to promote policy and activities on health determinants that will have an impact on key challenges such as diabetes type II.

Thus, the Commission, in respecting Member States' responsibility in this area, does not intend to set up a specific priority plan related to diabetes. However, as mentioned by the Honorary Member, diabetes is included in the Sixth Community Framework Programme for research and technological development in Section 1 Integrating European Research in the programme Life sciences: genomics and biotechnology for health and in Section 3 Strengthening the Foundations of the European Research Area.

In addition, foods presented as intended to satisfy the particular nutritional requirements of people with diabetes should currently comply with the requirements of Council Directive 89/398/EEC of 3 May 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses(1). However, the Commission intends to present a report to the Parliament and the Council on the desirability of special provisions for foods for people with diabetes.

(1) OJ L 186, 30.6.1989.

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