Medicine donation programmes supporting the global drive to end the burden of neglected tropical diseases

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are targeted for global control or elimination. Recognising that the populations most in need of medicines to target NTDs are those least able to support and sustain them financially, the pharmaceutical industry created mechanisms for donating medicines and expertise to affected countries through partnerships with the WHO, development agencies, non-governmental organisations and philanthropic donors. In the last 30 y, companies have established programmes to donate 17 different medicines to overcome the burden of NTDs. Billions of tablets, capsules, intravenous and oral solutions have been donated, along with the manufacturing, supply chains and research necessary to support these efforts. Industry engagement has stimulated other donors to support NTDs with funds and oversight so that the ‘heath benefit’ return on investment in these programmes is truly a ‘best value in public health’. Many current donations are ‘open-ended’, promising support as long as necessary to achieve defined health targets. Extraordinary global health advances have been made in filariasis, onchocerciasis, trachoma, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, intestinal parasites and others; and these advances are taking place in the context of strengthening health systems and meeting the global development goals espoused by the WHO. The pharmaceutical manufacturers, already strong collaborators in initiating or supporting these disease-targeted programmes, have committed to continuing their partnership roles in striving to meet the targets of the WHO's new NTD roadmap to 2030.

Challenges and Tools for In Vitro Leishmania Exploratory Screening in the Drug Development Process: An Updated Review

“…Today, (multi) drug resistance is a priority public health issue. Although medicine donation programs are multiplying to support the burden of neglected tropical diseases [150] such as leishmaniases, the pharmaceutical industry seems to increasingly restrict its research and development investment to new drug candidates [151]. Alternative options consist of repurposing drugs [152][153][154] or improving existing drugs, such as the gold standard amphotericin B [155].…”

Towards global control of parasitic diseases in the Covid-19 era: One Health and the future of multisectoral global health governance

“…For over 20 years, malaria elimination efforts have been coordinated primarily through collaborations between the WHO, the US President's Malaria Initiative, Global Fund, Unitaid, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ( Haakenstad et al, 2019 ). On the other hand, private–public partnerships between the WHO and multinational pharmaceutical companies have resulted in the free supply of MDA treatments for decades, notably ivermectin for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (Merck & Co.), albendazole for lymphatic filariasis (GlaxoKlineSmith), mebendazole for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (Johnson & Johnson), and praziquantel for schistosomiasis (Merck KGaA) ( Bradley et al, 2021 ; Molyneux et al, 2021 ). However, most of these partnerships are still heavily geared towards vertical programme implementation, which are critically important but may not be sufficient in themselves to address the socioeconomic and environmental dimensions that allow parasitic diseases to endure.…”

Twice Neglected? Neglected Diseases in Neglected Populations

“…13 In effectively leveraging the Global Fund for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, there exists a tension between the benefits of focusing on specific diseases and the reality that special populations affected by these diseases are also affected by other overlapping povertyrelated diseases. Drug donations from pharmaceutical manufacturers have been a key element in Mass Drug Administration campaigns to address filariasis, helminthic infection, and other parasitic diseases, 18 but donations from Industry of other kinds (e.g., research support and infrastructure) 19 could amplify this positive impact from the private sector so that NTDs can be studied in special populations, including incorporation of pharmacovigilance systems and assessment of overall societal impacts.…”