Today, at the European Parliament in Brussels Maria da Graça Carvalho chaired a high-level panel discussion to explore how the European Union (EU) can strengthen its investment in the development of innovative global health solutions. This was organised together by DSW Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung and PATH.
There was consensus at the meeting that innovative forms of partnerships-such as non-profit product developers (NPPDs)-add value and accelerate innovation in the fight against poverty-related and neglected tropical diseases, and at the same time contribute to the EU's research and development (R&D) policy goals.
This event was the third in a series of debates on the value of cross-sectoral partnerships to develop and deliver high-impact, cost-effective global health technologies.
Speaking as chair, Ms Carvalho said: "Poverty related and neglected tropical diseases have a catastrophic effect on the lives of millions of people in the world's poorest countries; the European Parliament will make sure that the EU has the resources and the capacity to lead the fight against HIV & AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and other neglected tropical diseases." Every year, malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS together kill nearly four million people; and the 31 diseases categorised as poverty-related and neglected account for 13.7 million deaths each year. Despite their devastating impact, between 1975 and 2000, out of a total of 1,393 medicines developed in this period, only 16 were for diseases most affecting populations in low- and middle-income countries.
The meeting brought together speakers and contributors from the private sector and non-profit product developers, as well as officials from the European Commission, and representatives of civil society and the European Parliament.
DSW Executive Director Renate Baehr highlighted the importance of EU engagement in this area: "The EU has firm policy commitments in the area of Global Health, and we would encourage policymakers to ensure that the EU has sufficient funding to back up this commitment. Through new research and innovation programmes for 2014-2020, the EU now has the mechanisms to be a key driver of innovation, and to lead the fight to eradicate poverty-related and neglected tropical diseases."
Speakers assessed the challenge of developing innovative and effective responses targeted at poverty-related and neglected diseases and conditions, HIV & AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, the discussion focused on:
This debate is taking place at a defining time for EU R&D funding. Next week at the European Parliament's plenary meeting in Strasbourg, MEPs are expected to vote on the EU's Horizon 2020 programme-the main instrument for EU R&D funding for the next seven years. In addition, the successor to the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), with an expanded budget and disease-focus, is now making its way through the legislative process. The EDCTP2, as it is known, will be the single largest EU initiative addressing global health R&D.
Reflecting on PATH's experience in the area of innovative drug development, Claire Wingfield said, "As the bedrock of many global health successes, PATH firmly believes that innovative research and development is critical to developing the next generation of global health tools that can prevent, treat, and one day halt existing and emerging global health threats. To meet the global health needs of tomorrow, it is critical to invest in research today."
DSW (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung) is an international development and advocacy organisation. We empower young people and communities in low- and middle-income countries by addressing the issues of population dynamics and by improving health as a way to achieve sustainable development. With a headquarters in Hanover, Germany, DSW maintains four country offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as a liaison office in Berlin, Germany and Brussels, Belgium.
PATH is an international nonprofit organisation that transforms global health through innovation. We take an entrepreneurial approach to developing and delivering high-impact, low-cost solutions, from lifesaving vaccines and devices to collaborative programs with communities. Through our work in more than 70 countries, PATH and our partners empower people to achieve their full potential.