The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7327 p776
27 November 2004

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New WHO approach to pharmaceutical research

Fresh approaches to pharmaceutical innovation are needed if new medicines to meet health needs both in Europe and the developing world are to be created, according to a World Health Organization report.

“In many areas, public health interests and pharmaceutical industry priorities coincide,” the report concludes. “In other areas, such as neglected diseases of poor countries or orphan diseases of rich countries, the market has failed and incentives have to be created for the pharmaceutical industry to respond to these clear needs.”

The report, entitled “Priority medicines for Europe and the developing world”, suggests a number of diseases for which treatments do not exist or are inadequate. The report warns that diseases that are problems in Europe now will be future problems in the developing world.

Public-private partnerships and reducing regulatory burdens are two of the solutions proposed.