§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to promote support through market mechanisms for research on pharmaceutical products to combat AIDS in Africa. [62754]
§ Clare ShortFinding safe and effective vaccines, microbicides that prevent sexual infection and low cost means to reduce mother to child transmission are vital elements of efforts to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. The UK is supporting national and international initiatives to establish incentives for product discovery and product development in poor countries. Left to themselves, market forces will not develop products for the poorest countries. The UK is collaborating with the World Bank in exploring and devising market support mechanisms necessary for industry to engage in developing vaccines and other products of benefit to the poorer countries. This work is still in its early stages.
Country Duration Cost (£) Purpose Thailand 14 September 1997 5,808 To visit DFID projects South Africa 5 October 1997 4,303 To visit DFID projects France 22 October 1997 169 Meetings with UNESCO Sweden 27 October 1997 542 To attend meetings on International Solidarity Belgium 20 October 1997 386 To attend the Development Council Belgium 10 November 1997 201 To attend General Affairs Council France 19 November 1997 523 To visit the European Parliament Belgium 27 November 1997 390 To attend the Development Council Canada 2 December 1997 2,694 To attend the signing of the Land mines Treaty Germany 9 December 732 Pre-presidency meeting Italy 11 December 1,106 Pre-presidency meeting Portugal 15 December 1,229 Pre-presidency meeting Malawi 1–8 January 1998 7,699 To inspect DFID projects Bosnia 2–3 February 1998 8,975 To inspect DFID projects Belgium 17 March 1998 1,001 EU Seminar on 21st Century France 21 March 1,448 Ministerial meeting on Water & Sustainable Development Switzerland 17–26 March 1,012 UN meetings Belgium/France/Germany 30 March-2 April 893 EU Parliament General Affairs/Lecture France 7–8 April 1,220 OECD Development Affairs USA 14–18 April 6,469 IMF & IBRD meetings Barbados/Guyana 7–11 May 4,740 ACP/EU Ministerial meetings