Affordable Drugs Needed for So-called "Diseases Of Poverty" -- WHO

Affordable Drugs Needed for So-called "Diseases Of Poverty" -- WHO

September 13, 2007

Fifty-eighth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the
Western Pacific, 10-14 September 2007, Jeju, Republic of
Korea


    JEJU, Republic of Korea, Sept. 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/
-- 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. 

    (Logo:
http://www.xprn.com/xprn/sa/20061102095006-51-min.jpg )

    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 ([phone]
1094; email:  [e-mail] or Mr Peter Cordingley
at ([phone]; email: [e-mail].


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