G10 report implementation the 'real test,' says Liikanen

Brussels, 12 June 2002

The 'real test' for the G10 medicines group will be the implementation of its newly-released report, according to Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner, Erkki Liikanen.

The G10 medicines group was set up in March 2001 to discuss ways of balancing health care priorities and industry competitiveness in Europe.

Speaking at the G10 conference on 'Global medicines - single health market in Europe' in Berlin on 10 June, Commissioner Liikanen said that following presentation of the final report to Commission President Romano Prodi in May this year, the challenge now lies in translating its recommendations into practical measures.

He said: 'Europe's quality and quantity of science is eroding. To do nothing was not an option for the European Commission. And to do something in a way that was compatible with achieving or social and public health objectives was also crucial. We need a dynamic science base in Europe, we have to reverse the brain drain.'

Mr Liikanen said although the 14 recommendations put forward in the G10 report - covering benchmarking, competition, stimulating innovation, patients and enlargement - are a step in the right direction, 'we are now faced with the major task of how we get there.'

The Commission's response to the G10 medicines report will be in the form of a communication which will be adopted in the first half of 2003. 'The report presents a delicate balance between competitiveness and health objectives and we must ensure that this balance is maintained in the implementation,' Mr Liikanen said.

To do this, the Commission will draw up a formal implementation plan and collect the views of stakeholders and G10 members on the best way forward. This will culminate in a stakeholders conference early next year where G10 members will report on progress made.

For further information on the G10 medicines group, please consult the following web address: http://pharmacos.eudra.org/F3/g10/g10ho me.htm

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001