Global Health Progress: New UN Program Will Ensure Developing Nations Continue to Have Access to Drugs Effective At Treating Malaria
Released on: January 14, 2011, 05:49 am
Author:
Mark Grayson/ Global Health Progress
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Earlier this week, the United Nations announced a new plan of
action designed to help fight disease resistance to artemisinin, the
world's most potent treatment for malaria. Launched by the UN World
Health Organization (WHO) and the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM),
the groups hope to better contain and prevent resistance to
artemisinins, the critical component of artemisinin-based combination
therapies (ACTs), which are currently the most effective weapon in
treating falciparum malaria.
The WHO’s announcement describes the plan as a five-step process which “aims to
contain and prevent artemisinin resistance by stopping the spread of resistant
parasites, increase monitoring and surveillance for artemisinin resistance, improve
access to malaria diagnostic testing and rational treatment with ACTs, invest in
artemisinin resistance-related research, and motivate action and mobilize
resources.”
Global Health Progress is hopeful that this action plan will help to ensure that
developing nations continue to have access to drugs that most effectively treat
malaria. Many malaria-stricken countries lack the resources needed to keep an
effective health care system running smoothly. Strong, effective health systems are
vital to helping those in need of access to drugs, and health care improvements made
today will strengthen the ability of countries to develop sustainable systems that
can meet tomorrow's challenges. Stopping the spread of drug-resistant strains of
malaria and other diseases are essential to these goals.
Investing in local R&D capacity and national research systems is another way
research-based biopharmaceutical companies help strengthen health systems. Local
production can play a valuable role in building overall local capacity and enabling
developing countries to increase access to essential medicines.
It is the responsibility of the entire international community to facilitate access
to medicines. Success depends on all sectors working in partnership; not only to
make medicines more accessible, but also to ensure continued innovation into new
medicines for the treatment and prevention of all diseases.
About Global Health Progress:
Global Health Progress also supports efforts to raise awareness and mobilize
resources to address health challenges in the developing world by bringing local
leaders together with international health experts, policymakers, donor governments,
and the private sector. www.globalhealthprogress.org; twitter.com/globalhealth;
facebook.com/pages/Global-Health-Progress/124850684219049;
linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2972068
To stay informed on the latest news about global investment in pharmaceutical R&D
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Contact Details: Global Health Progress
950 F Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 835-3460
MGrayson@phrma.org
http://www.globalhealthprogress.org
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