Around 6,000 minors die of cancer each year in Europe. Out of those who survive, two thirds suffer from treatment-related side effects for the rest of their lives. The Paediatric Regulation has had a substantial impact on the development of children’s medicine, but not enough progress has been made in a number of fields, especially oncology.

This is why Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament promoted a resolution that will be voted on tomorrow in which they call for funding and proper policies that stimulate more research into paediatric medicines, and is aimed at improving the treatments and the quality of life for child and teenage cancer survivors.

S&D spokesperson on health, Miriam Dalli MEP, said:

“As Socialists and Democrats we are committed to continue working hard to help improve the quality of life for children with cancer and childhood cancer survivors. This is why we believe it is extremely important for children with cancer to have access to new innovative therapies and drugs that can save their lives.

“We call on the European Commission to ensure there are enough funding provisions that support high-quality paediatric clinical research and on all member states to concretely support research, development and the availability of medicinal products for paediatric use.

“This is our children's lives that we are dealing with and we need to ensure that we do our utmost to provide them with the best possible therapies and medicines.”

MEP Elena Gentile, who sponsored the resolution on behalf of the S&D Group, said:

“The Paediatric Regulation was a positive step but there is still much room for improvement. To start with, the Commission should deliver the report foreseen in Article 50 of the Regulation as soon as possible. The report should identify the shortcomings of the current system of rewards and incentives, as well as outline what obstacles may be hampering innovation in medicines and products targeting children and teenagers.

“Moreover, the resources currently available are not enough to support research and clinical trials into innovative medicines for paediatric conditions.  Hence, the EU should also promote research into paediatric medicines, especially in paediatric oncology, through its main Research and Innovation programmes - such as Horizon 2020 - and promote cross-border trials.”