PHA-Exchange> Affordable drugs needed for so-called diseases of poverty

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Vern Weitzel <vern at coombs.anu.edu.au>
From:   Dida, Ms Connor (VTN) <didac at vtn.wpro.who.int>
Press Release
Email: PIO_Unit at wpro.who.int

Affordable drugs needed for so-called "diseases of poverty"— WHO

Jeju, Republic of Korea, 13 September 2007—The World Health
Organization (WHO) has taken the lead in addressing the
availability and accessibility of drugs and vaccines often
associated with "diseases of poverty" to people in
developing countries.

Dr Shigeru Omi, WHO Regional Director for the Western
Pacific, called for greater cooperation between governments
and drug companies, as well as other stakeholders, in
providing a mechanism for the creation of new medicines and
other products for diseases that greatly affect developing
countries.

Dr Omi expressed hope that complementary mechanisms to spur
innovation, such as public-private partnerships, would yield
positive results.  Traditionally, private industry has not
seen great incentive to invest in medicines and vaccine
development, mainly needed in developing countries.

Although access to essential medicines depends on a number
of factors, the cost of medicines is an important element,
especially in developing countries, as medicines are
predominantly paid for by patients themselves.

Dr Omi told the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific
meeting here that the contribution that innovation can make
will be meaningful only if products are affordable and
accessible.

Between 1975 and 1999, only 13 of about 1400 new drugs
developed were for tropical or neglected diseases. Yet,
these so-called "diseases of poverty" contribute to over 50%
of the burden of diseases in low-income developing
countries.

An intergovernmental working group, which is open to all
countries, has drafted a global strategy and plan of action
to address the health needs of developing countries, such as
medicines, vaccines and diagnostic kits. The
intergovernmental working group was created in response to a
World Health Assembly resolution in 2006.

The intergovernmental working group's global strategy and
plan of action, which is based on recommendations of the WHO
Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and
Public Health, will be finalized this November.  Member
States are strongly encouraged to participate in
negotiations during this meeting after which recommendations
will be presented to the World Health Assembly in May 2008
for endorsement.

Global responsibility for implementation of the strategy and
plan of action will depend on a range of key players,
including Member States and the WHO Secretariat, in
collaboration with other international organizations,
national institutions, development partners, pharmaceutical
companies, product development partnerships and civil
society. ____

For more information or request to interview WHO
specialists, please call Ms Marilu Lingad at (63) 918 918
1094; email:  lingadm at wpro.who.int or Mr Peter Cordingley at
(+63) 917 844 3688; email: cordingleyp at wpro.who.int.
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