25th April 2007 - Backing moves for new treatments for serious illnesses

Following a crucial vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, Yorkshire and the Humber MEP Linda McAvan has backed plans for a new EU-wide licensing system for treatments which may eventually help to beat diseases like cancer and Parkinson's Disease.

Some Right wing and Green MEPs who oppose some of these new therapies had attempted to defeat the proposals throughout the debate. However the plans were widely supported by patients groups from across Europe.

The kinds of treatments that would be affected by the decision include:

• Gene therapy: which may eventually help children who are born without immune systems to live normal lives
• Cell therapy: which may lead to treatments that can restore full function to hearts that have experienced heart attacks - potentially treating 1.5 million people in Europe each year
• Tissue Engineered Replacements: which could help to re-grow parts of the body which cannot naturally regenerate properly, like cartilage in joints, skin after burns or even nerves

The plans endorsed by MEPs aim to make it easier for patients to access future treatments whichever EU country they live in. They would establish Europe-wide rules and guidelines for the companies that develop the therapies, license products across the EU, and support small companies in developing treatments.

Countries with ethical objections will still be able to prevent treatments such as stem cell research taking place under the proposal.

Linda McAvan said;

"The potential of these new technologies is enormous. For people with neurological conditions like Alzheimers Disease and Parkinsons, the prospect of new treatments could radically improve the standard of living for millions of people. A single EU-wide licence will mean that a product developed in France or Germany could quickly become quickly available in the UK, ending unnecessary bureaucracy and getting new treatments to the people who need them as quickly as possible."

She added;

"Some MEPs had ethical concerns about these treatments. Stem cell research, in particular, is controversial. The legislation MEPs backed today ensures that though some governments may wish to block research and treatments they cannot prevent other countries like Britain from benefiting from such advances."

The legislation will still require the support of national governments in the European Council of Ministers, and will return to the European Parliament for its Second Reading later this year.