The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a global not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization, welcomes the establishment of the G20 Coalition on Local and Regional Production, Innovation, and Equitable Access, announced today at the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
‘The G20 Coalition can focus much-needed attention and public resources on existing and future health threats that disproportionately impact poor and marginalized people in low- and middle-income countries and are neglected by the current system for research and development,’ said Dr Luis Pizarro, Executive Director of DNDi. ‘It can also address some of the access inequalities that we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially if it ensures that principles of knowledge-sharing and equitable access to health tools are built into the projects it launches.‘
DNDi, along with several G20 countries and other partners, has long supported the idea that one of the first steps of the Coalition should be to launch two to three pilot projects that can deliver tangible results and build upon synergies with existing initiatives.
‘A project focused on developing new therapeutics for dengue is one option,’ said Dr Sergio Sosa-Estani, Director of DNDi Latin America. ‘There are no treatments for this neglected climate-sensitive disease, which is a growing global threat that is affecting numerous G20 countries. Just this year, Latin America has seen over 11 million dengue cases, a more than 200% increase over 2023. Such a project would be firmly aligned with G20 countries’ commitment to putting equity at the core of their climate and health responses.‘
Whether in an operational or advisory capacity, DNDi stands ready to support the Coalition and commends Brazil for its leadership throughout the Health Working Group negotiations, which have been taking place this past year.
Media contacts
Vania Alves (Brazil)
valves@dndi.org
+55 21 96666-9214
Ilan Moss (New York)
imoss@dndi.org
+1 646 266 5216
Photo credit: Fábio Nascimento-DNDi
