What role can public health institutions play in drug development for the poor? A case study of artesunate.
Although the strategy of artesunate development was orchestrated from within WHO's Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, it relies heavily upon an alliance of scientist, laboratories, industry, regulators and ministries of health to ensure the public health outcome. This development strategy has transformed the way in which WHO does business, both within and outside the Organization. In essence, each and every player has rallied in the challenge to reduce the discrepancy between need and availability of a drug that can has the potential to reduce mortality form the disease.
Gomes
M
M
Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, TDR/WHO, Geneva, Switzerland. gomesm@who.ch
Olliaro
P
P
Folb
P
P
D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins; D000077332:Artesunate; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000458:organization & administration; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005060:Europe; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011203:Poverty; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States; D014944:World Health Organization
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate