WHO tells Europe to pay more for drugs

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report, 'Priority medicines for Europe and the world', on 18 November 2004 which recommends ways in which pharmaceutical research and innovation can best address health needs and emerging threats in Europe and the world. The report was commissioned by the Dutch Government in its role as holder of the rotating six-month Presidency of the European Union, and identifies a priority list of medicines for Europe and the rest of the world, taking into account Europe's ageing population, the increasing burden of non-communicable illnesses in developing countries and diseases which persist in spite of the availability of effective treatments.

WHO: Press Release: Landmark report could influence the future of medicines in Europe and the world, 18.11.04 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2004/pr83/en/

WHO: Health Topics: Essential Medicines: Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy http://www.who.int/medicines/

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