Press Release

Parliamentary Assembly – Communication Division

Ref: 446a10
Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 31 93
Fax +33 (0)3 90 21 41 34
Internet: http://assembly.coe.int
e-mail: pace.com@coe.int

47 member States
The handling of the H1N1 pandemic: adoption of the report
Albania by the PACE Health Committee
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Strasbourg, 02.06.2010 – The Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee of the
Azerbaijan
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is due to adopt the report by
Belgium
Paul Flynn (United Kingdom, SOC) on “The handling of the H1N1 pandemic: more
Bosnia and Herzegovina
transparency needed” at its meeting in Paris on 4 June.
Bulgaria
Croatia
On this occasion, the committee members will be holding an exchange of views with
Cyprus
Fiona Godlee, Editor-in-Chief of the British Medical Journal.
Czech Republic
Denmark The exchange of views, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., will be open to the press. It will be
Estonia followed by the Committee’s adoption of the report, which will be held in camera.
Finland
France Mr Flynn’s report contains a critical analysis of the handling of the H1N1 pandemic,
Georgia claiming that the decisions taken lacked transparency. The rapporteur mentions a
Germany number of problems: waste of huge sums of public money, provocation of unjustified fear
Greece amongst Europeans, creation of health risks through vaccines and medications which
Hungary might not have been sufficiently tested before being authorised in fast-track procedures
Iceland and distortion of priorities of public health services all over Europe. He considers that
Ireland these results need to be critically examined by public health authorities at all levels with
Italy a view to rebuilding public confidence.
Latvia
Liechtenstein Following the adoption of Mr Flynn’s report by the committee, the Assembly will discuss
Lithuania it at its next plenary session (21-25 June 2010).
Luxembourg
Malta The committee held a first public hearing in January, attended by representatives of the
Moldova WHO, the pharmaceutical industry and independent health experts, following a motion
Monaco by the outgoing Chair of PACE’s Sub-committee on Health Wolfgang Wodarg on “faked
Montenegro pandemics”. A second hearing took place in March, with the participation of the Polish
Netherlands Health Minister. As part of his inquiry, the rapporteur met the British Secretary of State
Norway for Public Health and visited the Geneva headquarters of the WHO.
Poland
Portugal During the Committee meeting, a second exchange of views is scheduled with Eugenia
Romania Roccella, Italian Undersecretary of State from the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social
Russia Policies, in preparation for the report drafted by Christine McCafferty (United Kingdom,
San Marino SOC) on women’s access to lawful medical care and the problem of the unregulated use
Serbia of conscientious objection.
Slovakia
Slovenia Practical information for the media
Spain
Sweden The meeting takes place at the Council of Europe office in Paris (55 avenue Kléber,
Switzerland Paris 16ème, Metro: Boissière)
“The former Yugoslav
Republic of Accreditation: PACE Communication Division, +33 3 88 41 31 93,.pace.com@coe.int
Macedonia”
Turkey A video of the exchange of views (with interpretation into English and French) will be
Ukraine posted on the Assembly’s website (http://assembly.coe.int) around an hour after it
United Kingdom concludes via the following link: mms://coenews.coe.int/vod/100329_w01_w.wmv

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 318 members from the national parliaments of the 47 member states.
President: Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (Turkey, EDG) – Secretary General of the Assembly: Mateo Sorinas.
Political groups: EPP/CD (Group of the European People’s Party); SOC (Socialist Group); EDG (European Democrat Group);
ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe); UEL (Group of the Unified European Left).