Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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# 92001E1770

**WRITTEN QUESTION P-1770/01 by Mary Banotti (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Pure antibiotic powder - publication of research results.** 
  
*Official Journal 340 E , 04/12/2001 P. 0244 - 0244*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1770/01

by Mary Banotti (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 June 2001)

Subject: Pure antibiotic powder - publication of research results

Given that at present most pharmaceutical companies only make pure antibiotic powder available to researchers on the written undertaking that the researcher will not publish research results without prior authorisation from the company and given the importance of research into the whole field of antibiotic resistance, will the Commission consider drawing up rules of good practice whereby researchers may be able to publish their results after a set period, perhaps 6 to 12 months, without further consultation with the pharmaceutical companies?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2001)

The issue of antimicrobial resistance forms an inherent part of the Community's health strategy and comprises actions in all the relevant sectors, public health, veterinary and phytosanitary. The Commission has adopted on 20 June 2001 a communication setting out a Community strategy against antimicrobial resistance from this multisectoral perspective(1).

With respect to the specific question on access to antibiotic powder for researchers, and having contacted several companies who may be concerned, the Commission understands that it is standard practice for pharmaceutical companies who supply antibiotic powder free of charge to researchers to request undertakings from these researchers that the research is legitimate and appropriate and to request sight of the results in advance of publication. The Commission is not aware that, in practice, publication of the results of such research is restricted. The Commission considers that the manner in which the pharmaceutical industry supplies antibiotic material for academic research is, in general, appropriate, but is not in a position to comment on individual contractual arrangements between a specific company and a specific academic institution. The Commission is willing to address the question of the need for good practice guidelines with the appropriate associations representing the European pharmaceutical industry.

(1) COM(2001) 333 final.

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