Stimulating pharmaceutical research and development for neglected diseases.
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.
Mrazek
Monique F
MF
LSE Health and Social Care, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK. m.f.mrazek@lse.ac.uk
Mossialos
Elias
E
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
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D014612:Vaccines