Research and development funding for 13 neglected tropical diseases: an observational economic analysis

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) 2014-10, Vol.384, p.S20-S20
• Main Authors: Regmi, Sadie, MBChB, Callender, Thomas, MBChB, Knox, Ailie F, MBChB, Bhopal, Anand, Dr
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Economic analysis; Economics; Funding; Health economics; Internal Medicine; R&D; Research & development; Schistosoma; Schistosomiasis; Tropical diseases; Vector-borne diseases
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61883-3

Abstract Background As neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have grown in prominence over the past decade, funding to tackle these diseases has increased greatly. However, whether this gain has been shared equitably among each disease is unclear. We aimed to resolve this uncertainty. Methods We used G-FINDER reports to assess the overall change in research and development (R&D) funding for 13 core NTDs together and for each disease individually, for 2007–11 (schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, hookworm infection, ascariasis, trichuriasis, onchocerciasis, leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, leprosy, trachoma, dengue, and buruli ulcer). We compared the estimated burden of each of the 13 diseases to changes in R&D funding. Findings Overall R&D funding has increased by more than 70% for the 13 core NTDs, from US$268 million in 2007, to $464 million in 2011. The gains have not been shared equitably across individual diseases: in 2011, $131 million (28%) of funding was directed towards the kinetoplastids (leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and Chagas disease), which together are responsible for 7·5% of combined disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and 20% of deaths caused by NTDs. The helminthiases (lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, hookworm infection, ascariasis, and trichuriasis) received only $81 million (17% of the funds disbursed in 2011), yet are responsible for 87% of DALYs and 75% of deaths caused by NTDs. Interpretation Funding for each NTD is not correlated with objective criteria such as disease burden or attributed deaths. Although use of a collective term to group the diseases has given the NTDs moral, political, and economic weight, the approach to tackling these diseases does not seem to be aligned with need. Funding None.