E-DRUG: DNDi Welcomes Political Declaration of UN High-Level Meeting on AMR
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http://www.dndi.org/2016/advocacy/dndi-welcomes-declaration-unhlm-amr/
The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) welcomes the commitment
made by world leaders today at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to
address one of the world's most pressing public health issues,
antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
In May 2016, DNDi and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the
Global Antibiotic R&D Partnership (GARDP) to develop new and affordable
antibiotic treatments, including by 'delinking' the cost of R&D on AMR from
prices and sales.
Today's UN Declaration is another encouraging sign that governments have
elevated the debate on biomedical innovation and access to medicines,
diagnostics and vaccines to the highest political levels.
Response from the Director of the GARD Partnership, Dr Manica Balasegaram:
'Today's Political Declaration is a strong first step. It is important to
note, as the Declaration does, that large numbers of people today are dying
from lack of access to health services, appropriate diagnosis, and
antibiotics. But we desperately need new treatments that will address
resistance since the pipeline is dry.
'The Declaration is a strong acknowledgement from governments that 'business
as usual' is not enough to stimulate innovation for AMR. Governments must
now mobilize new funding for AMR innovation and ensure that there are
critical safeguards in place so that there is a public return on public
investment.
'As called for in today's Declaration, the WHO can now proceed with
developing a Global Development and Stewardship Framework to support the
development and appropriate use of new and existing antibiotics and other
health tools. The urgent issue now is to translate this political momentum
into sustainable financing and concrete actions that can start without
delay.'
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Rachel M. Cohen
Regional Executive Director
Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), North America
40 Wall Street, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10005
Email: rcohen@dndi.org
Web: www.dndi.org
Best Science for the Most Neglected
Rachel Cohen <rachel.cohen72@gmail.com>