The European Commission has provided a non-committal response to a Written Question by French MEP Philippe Juvin (EPP) on the possibility of liver disease featuring alongside other major chronic diseases in the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research.

The current Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), which runs from 2007 to 2013 and allocates 6.1bn EUR to health research, has specific actions for diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes – but no specific action for liver disease, which is the fifth most common cause of death in Europe.

In its response to Mr Juvin’s question, the Commission failed to provide a commitment to funding for research into liver disease, instead giving an overview of the liver disease-related projects it has funded and is currently funding under FP7. Although EASL welcomes the funding of these specific projects, it is disappointed that EU funding for research into liver disease is allocated in an uncoordinated manner. Furthermore, the funding allocated to liver disease research is disproportionate to its burden on European citizens’ health, particularly when compared to funding for research into other diseases that are less prevalent or are on the decline in the EU.

In its answer, the European Commission recognises the advocacy work undertaken by EASL in providing feedback on what is needed to improve EU funded research on liver disease. EASL will continue to work with the Commission, parliamentarians, member states and other interested parties in order to ensure that the next Framework Programme addresses the need for increased and specific research into the widespread and growing problem of liver disease.

Read the full response of the European Commission.