By Johannah Thakadu

The European Union is planning to invest €200-million for the research and development of new medicines and vaccines to combat TB, HIV and Aids as well as malaria in Africa.

The ambitious initiative - known as the European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership - is a pilot programme that brings together EU member states, developing countries and industry in a joint effort to combat disease. Visiting South Africa to promote this venture, European Union research commissioner Philippe Busquin said research into treatments for disease did not just mean working in laboratories.

"By visiting some of the hardest hit parts of Africa, I hope to highlight what the programme means in real terms: European countries working with developing countries and the pharmaceutical industry to reduce suffering and poverty," he said.

In South Africa alone, the EU has already invested €15-million in TB education, awareness and community projects to be implemented over the next five years.

The country's health department, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and pharmaceutical company Aventis have formed a partnership in this regard.

Part of the initiative will see the development of new interventions appropriate for the African population that will involve clinical research in Africa.

Aventis spokesperson Thulani Sonjola said 36 people die of TB every day in South Africa alone - a disease that could be cured should people have access to education about the disease, as well as necessary medical facilities where diagnosis and treatment could be carried out.

"We are facing a global emergency regarding TB, and this initiative by the European Commission could have an enormous impact on the fight against TB not to mention the impacts on research, education and treatment regarding HIV and AIDS as well as malaria," she said.

She said only through creative, adequately funded public-private collaborations would they be able to make real progress.

According to the World Health Organisation, 5 480 people die each day globally from TB and almost 30% of people living with HIV have TB. This is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV.

CEO of Aventis South Africa John Fagan said their objective was to open nine more TB centres and mobile clinics. Fagan said that national partnerships were necessary for the development and testing of new HIV and AIDS vaccines.

Fagan said short course treatment where family members and friends helped patients complete medication through a period of six months needed to be practised.
- BuaNews

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