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Our commitment on LF

The global eradication of smallpox represents one of the greatest sustainable public health achievements in history. The International Task Force for Disease Eradication, composed of scientists and notable international health organisations from around the world, has concluded that seven diseases – Guinea worm disease, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, LF and cysticercosis—could be eradicated.

Global efforts to get rid of LF began in May 1997 when the World Health Assembly called on governments to support plans to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. In December 1997, we formed a collaboration with the WHO to spearhead efforts to eliminate LF. Since then, the programme has evolved into a major public-private partnership known as the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.

WHO recommends that LF infection can be prevented by treating entire endemic communities once a year with two co-administered anti-parasitic drugs for a minimum of five years. In African countries the drugs are albendazole and ivermectin (Mectizan®, donated by Merck and Co., Inc.), and for the rest of the world, albendazole and diethylcarbamazine (DEC, a generic drug).

We have pledged to donate albendazole, for as long as necessary until the disease is eliminated - best estimates put the scale of this commitment at around six billion treatments. In addition to donating free albendazole tablets, we provide significant financial support for coalition-building, workshops and communications, and dedicated staff expertise.

As when smallpox was prevalent, LF is widespread and feared. But by the year 2020, the intention of the WHO is to have placed the name of lymphatic filariasis alongside that of smallpox as one of the diseases consigned to the past.

“One Day”, GSK’s commitment to eliminating LF

Andrew talking about our commitment to the LF programme in December 2008, the tenth anniversary of our donation.