Expediting access to pediatric HIV/AIDS drugs in Guyana; a new public-private partnership

A very interesting announcement from the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. Government, Government of Guyana, and Pharmaceutical Companies Partner to Expedite the Registration of HIV/AIDS Drugs for Children Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC September 22, 2010 Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, announced a new public-private partnership between the Government of Guyana [...]

Brazil expands access to cancer treatments

Under a massive expansion of its oncology services, Brazil’s national health care system (SUS) will offer cancer patients access to nine new treatments and expand coverage for 66 already-covered procedures, including 46 chemotherapy treatments.  (source:  PharmaTimes) The nine treatments which are to be made available for the first time through the SUS include three for [...]

Fighting neglected diseases: anti-TB compounds offer hope

Compounds being developed against tuberculosis also show promise against deadly tropical diseases threatening millions of people.  As reported by Reuters, the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development has granted the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) rights to develop a class of potential anti-TB compounds offering hope of treating Chagas disease, African sleeping sickness and [...]

UN Report: Efforts to boost maternal and child health falling short

From the UN Daily News: An annual assessment report released today by the United Nations shows that while significant declines have been recorded by many countries in reducing maternal and child mortality, greater progress must be made to meet the global targets contained in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). According to the MDG Report 2010, [...]

Malaria outbreak in Venezuela

Statistics published this week by Venezuela’s Health Ministry show that malaria cases have doubled so far this year, particularly in Bolivar, where officials say there is an epidemic.  21,601 cases of malaria have been reported nationwide so far this year, up from 10,758 during the same period last year. Public health officials attribute the rise [...]

Counterfeits threaten public health in Peru

The prevalence of counterfeit medicines in Peru has increased annually (since 2005) by an average of 45% – representing a significant threat to patient safety and public health.  Nearly a quarter of the counterfeit medicines found by Peru’s National Quality Control Center did not contain any active ingredient, providing no health benefit or protection to [...]

Ecuador eliminates river blindness

Ecuador has become the second country in the Americas to stop the transmission of river blindness (onchoceriasis), a disease that can cause blindness, skin rashes, lesions, intense itching and skin depigmentation. The parasitic disease is caused by the filarial worm and is spread by the bite of infected black flies. Major progress in combating the [...]