Promoting drug development and access: The role of international networks and organizations

Abstract

Over a period of 25 years only 1 % of new drugs were approved specifically for so-called neglected diseases, which represent over 12 % of the global disease burden in terms of mortality and chronic disability. The authors briefly describe the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) model set up to address this gap, and give an example of the paediatric HIV project that has been undertaken in support of the needed HIV response. The role that research networks (such as PENTA, IMAACT and GRIP), public-private partnerships and strategic mobilization of key stakeholders have played in drug development and drug/formulation access for children has been highlighted. The effective achievements obtained in scaling up deployment of antiretroviral drugs in resource limited settings show the importance of consolidating public and private partnership (WHO, innovative research intensive and generic pharmaceutical companies and international agencies working with partners from countries where diseases are endemic).