HC Deb 16 December 1998 vol 322 c593W
Mr. Dalyell

To 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 Short

Finding 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

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