Programme details

HIV-AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis: these are the greatest scourges for developing countries, with a major impact on public health and the economy of the countries.
The European Commission has decided to react by launching a broad platform,called EDCTP (European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership) to accelerate research and development in vaccines and medicines.

EDCTP

The idea is that Europe can contribute to better control, better prevention and better treatment of these diseases in developing countries by means of a series of programmes specially directed to research and development, including clinical trials to create medicines, vaccines and other health-care intervention.
In Europe, every country does research and develops actions. But if these programmes are developed together and are mutually coherent, the value added will be considerable.
This is an ambitious project. Fourteen European countries and Norway are around the table. Europe has pooled all its strength.

North South Cooperation

Also developing countries are part of the steering group and take part in the conception of the project. This is a real step forward in North/south relations.
The programme is not yet launched so this is a big opportunity trying to draw on the African experience and make sure that this programme is designed in such a way that it satisfies African needs and aspirations.

Information and Prevention

This means that for African countries the work is already starting, with information and prevention missions.
So we’ve started now with the scientific community making sure that the African scientists know about this programme.

Ethical Aspect

Then we have the tests themselves. Each new medicine or vaccine will be tested on specific sites. The African countries are confronted with two things. First: the need to be able to carry out these trials completely in their territories.
Second: that these trials must not be done in a haphazard way. Ethical rules and good medical practice must be observed.

Diseases and Poverty

Today, remedies for these three diseases exist in Western countries. But the situation is entirely different in developing countries: although medicines are present on the market, the price is nevertheless exorbitant and unaffordable for the vast majority of the population.

Then there is the economic aspect for European laboratories. The final objective of EDCTP targets encouraging laboratories to be more active in research on AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Without necessarily thinking in terms of return.

Conclusion

EDCTP is one of the largest European research projects. Over a five-year period, the Commission proposes to invest 200 million euros to which national programmes of Member States, development funds and donations from foundations will be added.