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Global Health Progress Applauds Japan for Enhanced Support to theGlobal Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Global Health Progress Applauds Japan for Enhanced Support to theGlobal Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Published 05-28-08

Submitted by Global Health Progress

TOKYO, May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The worldwide pharmaceutical industry applauds H.E. Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, Prime Minister of Japan and his government's pledge for an additional US$560 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Global Fund’s work has been instrumental in the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria, which claim six million lives annually and affect many more families and communities in the poorest countries of the world.

"Research-based biopharmaceutical companies share Japan and the Global Fund's concern for the patients and families affected by the "big three" diseases, and are eager to continue making a significant impact. According to a survey by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), in the period 2000-2006, the industry provided a collective US$6.7 billion in assistance to the developing world through donations of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, equipment, other material and labor. In addition to the assistance from research-based biopharmaceutical companies worldwide, this survey also found that contributions by Merck, Eli Lilly, Pfizer and other member companies made available over 1.3 billion health interventions. Descriptions of the work by member companies and their partners can be found at www.globalhealthprogress.org.

"Further to creating better access to our medicines, training and capacity building for health care workers, and infrastructure strengthening, research and development (R&D) is critical. Currently, our industry is working on 92 medicines & vaccines for HIV/AIDS related illnesses and 22 medicines and vaccines for TB and 28 medicines and vaccines for malaria. In addition, fourteen companies in Japan have opened up their chemical libraries for antimalarial screening by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) of the World Health Organization.*

"On behalf of my colleagues around the world, I thank Prime Minister Fukuda and the Global Fund for reminding us of this important cause and reaffirm our commitment to support the global fight against AIDS, TB and malaria so that patients everywhere can live longer, healthier and more productive lives."

*Japanese pharmaceutical companies who have opened their chemical libraries for antimalarial screening by the MHLW and the TDR of the World Health Organization include Chugai, Daiichi, Daiichi-Suntory Dainippon, Eisai, Fujisawa, Meiji Seika, Mitsubishi Pharma, Otsuka, Sankyo, Shionogi, Sumitomo, Takeda and Yamanouchi. Since 2004, 28,609 compounds have been screened, 372 of which show antimalarial properties.

About Global Health Progress

The Global Health Progress initiative brings research-based biopharmaceutical companies and global health leaders together to improve health in the developing world. Through meaningful public-private partnerships with others in the field, including policymakers in the developed and developing world, multi-lateral institutions, non-governmental organizations, and academe, we are helping to shape sustainable solutions that improve the health of all people. For more information, please visit www.globalhealthprogress.org

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