The European Union has approved a US$468 million programme to fight poverty-related diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and promote reproductive health in developing countries.

European Union foreign ministers approved the funds — $87 million of which will go to promote reproductive health – at a recent meeting of the European Parliament. The funds will be used to work toward the United Nations goals of halting the spread of the three diseases and reducing mortality rates for pregnant women in the developing world by 2015.
In addition, the European Union plans to adopt a measure aimed at encouraging pharmaceutical companies to offer discounts on drugs to treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

(Source: Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 22 May 2003)