Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - Every day about 35,000 people die of infective diseases such as AIDS, malaria, TB and forgotten diseases like leishmaniosis, morbo of Chagas, sleeping sickness.
These diseases affect millions people who lack inexpensive, effective and safe vaccines, diagnosis and drugs adapted to local needs.
Private investments are not attracted by the level of poverty among these people. Out of a total 1,393 drugs developed between 1975 and 1999 only 13 (1%) were for the diseases mentioned above. Between 1986 and 2001 funds for bio-medical research increased from 30 billion to106 billion dollars but no real progress was made to create new instruments against the diseases affecting the poor.
Basic research on infective diseases and bio-medical research advance rapidly but it is necessary to correct the unbalance of the present model of development of drugs. In recent years the international community has shown new interest for this health problem. Some developing countries have increased efforts to realise new health technologies and their role is growing. New non profit organisations started promoting research on forgotten diseases. These various projects are a sort of virtual laboratory involving various institutes of research, universities, pharmaceutical and bio-technological industries. However most of this work is funded by philanthropic organisations and private donors. (AP) (31/10/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:24; Parole:265)
