A global subsidy for antimalarial drugs.
In 2004, the Institute of Medicine concluded that a global high-level subsidy was the best way to make effective antimalarial drugs--currently, artemisinin-combination therapies (ACTs)--widely available at affordable prices and at the same time substantially delay the emergence and spread of artemisinin-resistant strains of falciparum malaria. The subsidy would be available to manufacturers of all ACTs meeting pre-specified efficacy, safety, and quality criteria. Buyers would pay very low prices, allowing drugs to flow through existing channels, with the aim of reaching consumers at a similar price to chloroquine, the most frequently used (although no longer effective) malaria drug. Unsubsidized artemisinin monotherapies would be more expensive than subsidized ACTs (co-formulations), thereby largely eliminating their use through market forces. Conditions favoring the emergence of artemisinin-resistant malaria would be greatly reduced. The global high-level subsidy is a powerful idea that is moving from economic concept to pragmatic reality.
Gelband
Hellen
H
Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 500 5th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA. HGelband@nas.edu
Seiter
Andreas
A
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006289:Health Planning Support / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics* / Q000469:parasitology
D000962:Antimalarials