European Coalition of Positive People

ECPP is a London based international HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C patient organisation working in Europe and Malawi, promoting patient involvement in the development of public policy, delivery and monitoring of services.

Mission

To become a European1 organisation of positive people which will advocate and campaign for our human and civil rights, offer peer support, challenge misinformation and prejudice, while galvanising the diverse, affected communities into action, ensuring access to effective treatments, services and promoting healthy living.

1 Defined in this instance to include the member states of the EU, applicant states and Eastern Europe.

Values

Our ethos is one of self-help. We believe that people living with and/or affected by HIV, Hepatitis C and Tuberculosis should be central to the relevant debates about health and social policy. People have the right to information, backup and role models, and can then deal effectively with the world on their own or with each other's support.

The organisation must be run by, controlled by and represented by a majority of positive people. All member organisations must be as well.

Aims & Objectives

• To provide a means by which people living with and/or affected by HIV, Hepatitis C, and Tuberculosis have a voice.
• To empower people living with, and/or affected by HIV, Hepatitis C, and Tuberculosis to access information and resources they need to improve the social and economic welfare of their communities.
• To campaign and advocate for the interests of people living with and/or affected by HIV, Hepatitis C and Tuberculosis, challenging that which adversely affects their welfare.
• To work in partnership with other stakeholders to influence governmental policy in such areas as human, civil and disability rights, immigration & migration, access to health care, treatments, standards of care, and social policy.
• To promote user involvement at all levels in the development of public policy and the planning, delivery and monitoring of services.
• To influence the regulatory authorities, the pharmaceutical industry and medical treatment system, on such issues, as biotechnology, drug trials, drug development, drugs access, pricing, etc.
• To encourage and assist in the development of local & national groups of positive people.
• To strengthen and further develop the Coalition to enable it to achieve its mission.

Issues of concern

• Access to effective treatments both in Europe and internationally
• Clinical Trials.
• Biotechnology, Bioethics and genetic engineering. Stem Cell Research.
• Pharmaceutical drug pricing, differential pricing, parallel trading & patent protection.
• Community empowerment and support especially in the developing world.
• Standards of care and information to patients.