A look at the ASEAN-NDI: building a regional health R&D innovation network.
Globally, there are growing efforts to address diseases through the advancement in health research and development (R&D), strengthening of regional cooperation in science and technology (particularly on product discovery and development), and implementation of the World Health Assembly Resolution 61.21 (WHA61.21) on the Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation, and Intellectual Property (GSPA-PHI). As such, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is responding to this through the establishment of the ASEAN-Network for Drugs, Diagnostics, Vaccines, and Traditional Medicines Innovation (ASEAN-NDI). This is important in the ASEAN considering that infectious tropical diseases remain prevalent, emerging, and reemerging in the region. This paper looks into the evolution of the ASEAN-NDI from its inception in 2009, to how it is at present, and its plans to mitigate public health problems regionally and even globally.
Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Taguig City, Philippines.
Jaime C
JC
Montoya
Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Taguig City, Philippines.
Carina L
CL
Rebulanan
Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), Taguig City, Philippines.
Nico Angelo C
NA
Parungao
UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Bernadette
B
Ramirez
ASEAN-NDI; Health research and development; Infectious tropical diseases; Innovation network; Strategic business plan