Letter

Medical research into "neglected diseases" (In reply)

MJA 2001; 175: 668-669
 

Despite the intimations of Moran and colleagues, the medical profession does not have a monopoly on morals, ethics or dedication to alleviating suffering, either in Australia or elsewhere. The proportion of the 14 000 employees in the Australian prescription medicines industry (including our talented research scientists) who are dedicated to delivering healthcare would be as great as in any other healthcare sector.

Dealing with disease in developing countries is a complex and perplexing problem, and one that can only start to be addressed by the combined commitment of international healthcare organisations, including the pharmaceutical industry, governments, academic institutions and charities.

Worldwide, the prescription medicines industry continues to provide leadership in alleviating suffering. But we do not have the mandate, expertise or resources to deliver healthcare unilaterally to developing countries. The discovery, development and availability of effective medicines to treat disease in developing countries is only part of the problem. Substantial improvements must also be made in basic medical infrastructure, public education about health, sanitation, and economic and scientific resources. Many countries are also in need of greater political will.

Many of our member companies supply vital medicines and support to developing countries, of which the following are a few examples:

• Provision of medicines for HIV/AIDS and malaria at sustainable, preferential prices;

• The donation of five billion treatments for lymphatic filariasis to people in the developing world;

• Research and development into the prevention and treatment of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS;

• A $US25 million eradication program for African sleeping sickness; and

• Delivery of an antiparasitic medicine to millions of people at risk of river blindness (onchocerciasis), helping to prevent more than 600 000 cases of blindness.

Recently, the World Health Organization announced it was "taking action to ensure that vital medicines can continue to be used effectively by this generation and in the future". It said "without concerted, global action many of the dramatic breakthroughs made in medical science over the past 50 years could be lost. Over the past five years, more than US$17 billion has been spent by the pharmaceutical industry on research and development of medicines used to treat infectious diseases."¹

The prescription medicines industry will maintain its commitment to breaking down the barriers that block access to medicines in developing countries and ensuring that those medicines are used appropriately and effectively by the people for whom they are intended.

Alan H Evans
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Level 7, 88 Walker Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060
infoATapma.com.au

1. World Health Organization. WHO acts to safeguard vital treatments for the future. Press release WHO/39, 11 September 2001.

©MJA 2001
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