Global Health Fund

HC Deb 29 March 2001 vol 365 cc768-9W

29. Ms Drown

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his recent announcement on the establishment of a purchase fund for global health. [154628]

Miss Melanie Johnson

At the recent International Action Against Child Poverty conference that the UK hosted in London, the Chancellor announced a package of measures aimed at combating diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Every year, about six million people—mostly in the world's poorest countries—die from these diseases.

Alongside plans for a tax credit into vaccine and drug research, the Chancellor announced plans for a new global purchase fund to provide a credible commitment to create a market for current and future treatments for developing countries.

The Government will work closely with other governments, the G8 and international institutions to develop these proposals.