title: Stimulating pharmaceutical research and development for neglected diseases.
abstract: New vaccines and drug treatments are needed for tackling the neglected diseases (NDs) of poor countries. These diseases are associated with high levels of mortality and/or morbidity, but lack appropriate vaccines and drug treatments because of bacterial resistance, toxicity, long-treatment protocols, problems with administration or because none are available. Current initiatives directed at research and development (R&D) of NDs are being led predominantly by the governmental, inter-governmental and private not-for-profit sectors implemented by way of public-private partnerships. Push and pull mechanisms targeted at the pharmaceutical industry have also been proposed as another way to stimulate R&D of NDs; however, these should be viewed with some caution. Stimulating R&D for NDs is important as part of a wider long-term public health strategy and must be addressed simultaneously with resolving more immediate problems of access to medicines and health system sustainability in less developed countries.
authors.affiliation: LSE Health and Social Care, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK. m.f.mrazek@lse.ac.uk
authors.forename: Monique F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mrazek
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mossialos
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003906:Developing Countries; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D017149:Private Sector; D015980:Public Health Practice; D017150:Public Sector; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D014612:Vaccines