Parliament Votes to Support Global Health R&D

Source DSW

The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) voted today on the new research and innovation framework programme Horizon 2020 which will start in 2014.  The new seven-year Horizon 2020 funding programme will replace the FP7 programme (the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development) which runs until 2013.

The ITRE Committee recognised that poverty-related and neglected diseases (PRNDs) should be considered as a priority in Horizon 2020.  Aid, research and innovation are still important even in a time of economic crisis.  A lot of progress has been made on these issues but so much more is needed and it would be a pity to stop now.  People in low- and middle-income countries need our help still. 

In September, our client DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung), an international development and advocacy organisation, commissioned a study from Policy Cures called ‘Saving Lives and Creating Impact: EU Investment in Poverty-Related and Neglected Diseases’.  The study showed the benefits to Europe from EU investment in poverty-related and neglected diseases R&D. 

But even if helping developing countries did not bring benefits to the EU, we shouldn’t stop aid because we are talking about human lives.  We cannot close our eyes to people in need.

Poverty-related and neglected diseases, including HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as well as 17 neglected tropical diseases affect 1.23 billion people annually and account for 4 million deaths ever year.

We blogged on the Policy Cures study ‘Investing in Global Health R&D: Is it worth it?’ on 27 September 2012.

You can track updates from DSW by liking them on Facebook and following them on Twitter. You can also help raise decision-makers’ awareness on Global Health R&D funding by signing this Call for Support.

Check out this engaging video on the critical role played by the EU in research and development of Poverty-Related Neglected Diseases: Partnership, Innovation, and Leadership.

Blog by Aris Koutentakis