Spurring new research for neglected diseases.
A very small proportion of global spending for biomedical research is for neglected diseases. However, neglected diseases account for a sizable percentage of the global burden of disease, especially in low-income countries. For-profit pharmaceutical and biotech companies are unlikely to conduct significant additional research on neglected diseases without financial incentives. This paper examines the benefits of providing a tax credit to encourage companies to conduct preclinical research on neglected diseases in the laboratory or in animals. This strategy could lead to a new generation of treatment options for the people in low-income countries who are susceptible to neglected diseases.
Anderson
Gerard F
GF
Health Policy and Management, at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. ganderso@jhsph.edu
D001709:Biotechnology; D003132:Commerce; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003906:Developing Countries; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004345:Drug Industry; D006801:Humans; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012107:Research Design; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D019464:Tax Exemption