New report points way to commercialisation of treatments for neglected and tropical diseases
Medicines Australia supports an international report released this week that suggests new approaches to commercialising new treatments for neglected and tropical diseases.
Assembling the pharmaceutical R&D puzzle for needs in the developing world, which was commissioned by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), proposes several mechanisms for ensuring populations that need these treatments are able to access them.
The report finds that some mechanisms designed to encourage companies to commercialise medicine for neglected and tropical diseases, such as prizes or patent pools, may not be as effective as other collaborative mechanisms like open databases, grants, public-private partnerships and advanced market commitments
Medicines Australia chief executive Dr Brendan Shaw said combating neglected and tropical diseases remains a key priority for the global medicines industry.
“The fact that the global industry has commissioned a report like this shows how seriously it takes the issue,” Dr Shaw said.
“The report says that fundamentally the existing R&D model is effective, but needs to continue to adapt to changing social and economic circumstances.
“The real value of this report is that it explores in some detail the most effective ways of encouraging commercialisation of treatments for neglected and tropical diseases.
“Internationally the medicines industry is already increasing its research effort into neglected and tropical diseases at a faster rate than contributions from other sectors like governments and not-for-profit groups.
“We are eager to continue working with the broader community to ensure treatments for these diseases are available in developing countries.
“This industry is serious about finding collaborative solutions that drive the development of new medicines and vaccines for the developing world and ensure that people can ultimately benefit from these developments.”
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Contact Person:
Jamie Nicholson
Media Communications Manager
Phone: 0419 220 293
Email: Jamie.Nicholson@medicinesaustralia.com.au