The World Health Organization (WHO) recently called on governments, drug companies, and other stakeholders to work together in reducing drug prices in the Western Pacific region.
Dr. Shigeru Omi, WHO Western Pacific regional director, said that there should be a mechanism to lower drug prices in developing countries.
“Although access to essential medicines depends on a number of factors, the cost of medicines is an important element, especially in developing countries, as medicines are predominantly paid for by the patients themselves,” he said during the 58th session of WHO with its theme “diseases of poverty.”
Dr. Omi also noted that public-private partnerships could possibly give way to innovations and reduction of drug prices. Traditionally, private drug companies were not provided with great incentives that would allow them to invest in medicines and vaccine developments, which are much-needed in developing countries.
According to WHO, the three common diseases due to poverty are Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), malaria, and tuberculosis. These so-called diseases of poverty contribute to over 50 percent of the burden of diseases in low-income developing countries.
Furthermore, data released by WHO showed that between 1975 and 1999, only 13 of about 1,400 new drugs developed were for tropical or neglected diseases.
At present, WHO said that an inter-governmental working group has already drafted a global strategy and plan of action to address the health needs of developing countries, such as medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic kits. This group is open to all countries.
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