Global Health Progress Amplifies Report Calling for Funding Products to Fight Neglected Tropical Diseases

    WASHINGTON, DC, February 25, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The third-annual Global Funding of Innovation for Neglected Diseases (G-FINDER) survey was released last week revealing both good and bad news for the funding of neglected diseases in the developing world. In a press release issued by Policy Cures, an independent group providing research and analysis for those involved in the creation of new pharmaceuticals for neglected diseases, the group reveals that while funding for neglected diseases has increased, funding for new products has decreased. Funders appear to be focusing more of their money toward traditional basic research. This shift has caused a $50 million drop in funding for Product Development Partnerships (PDP), non-profit organizations that partner with external organizations to drive product development for neglected diseases, including neglected tropical diseases.

Report author Dr Mary Moran, Director of Policy Cures warns funders not to "take their eyes off the ball" in the press release, stating that while the increase in funding is encouraging it is important that the funds are spent wisely.

Global Health Progress has worked with partner groups to encourage and sustain funding for the research and development of new products. The innovative research and development (R&D) of new drugs and vaccines is a critical component of improving health care and combating epidemics of neglected tropical diseases in developing countries. There are no vaccines or cures for some widespread and life threatening diseases such as malaria, while existing treatments for diseases such as tuberculosis are becoming less effective due to drug resistance.

Read the full press release from Policy Cures here: http://globalhealthprogress.org/mediacenter/wp-content/uploads/G-FIND ... elease.pdf, or read the G-FINDER report on the Policy Cures website: http://www.policycures.org/downloads/g-finder_2010.pdf.

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, www.twitter.com/globalhealth, www.facebook.com/pages/Global-Health-Progress/124850684219049, www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2972068.

To stay informed on the latest news about global investment in pharmaceutical R&D and improving access to medicines, sign up to receive special alerts and newsletters. You can also spread the word about the efforts of the Global Health Progress initiative and keep others informed about how we're affecting change around the world or share your story about how you or someone you know is working to promote global health.

# # #