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AFX News Limited 07.16.2006, 09:59 AM SAINT PETERSBURG (AFX) - G8 leaders called for cuts in tariffs on drugs in order to counter the spread of infectious diseases in developing countries. 'We encourage governments around the world to consider eliminating import tariffs and non-tariff barriers on medicines and medical devices, where appropriate, as a measure to reduce further the cost of healthcare for the poor, and expand their access to effective treatments,' the leaders said in a statement issued at their summit here. They also called for new tools to promote investment in the research, development and production of vaccines, microbicides and drugs for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases. They noted that a number of steps have been taken to develop innovative financing mechanisms for such investments, but did not announce any new agreements on these mechanisms. G8 governments have put forward a number of schemes to finance drug purchases in developing countries. The US and Italy are pushing a plan for 'advanced market commitments' through which donor countries would commit to purchase vaccines for poor nations at a guaranteed price once they have been developed. France meanwhile is pressing ahead with its plan for an airline ticket tax to pay for health programmes in poor countries, and UK Chancellor Gordon Brown is continuing to push his International Finance Facility for immunisation programmes. The G8 said it wants to stimulate the active involvement of the pharmaceutical industry in drug treatments for developing countries. The leaders said the threat of a bird flu pandemic also demands their immediate attention. They said they will work with pharmaceutical companies to examine options for increases in production capacities for vaccines and the development of next generation influenza vaccines. And they said they will support efforts to increase worldwide capacity for the stockpiling of antivirals. President Vladimir Putin has made the fight against infectious diseases one of the main priorities of Russia's G8 presidency.
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