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Developing world

There is a healthcare crisis in many parts of the developing world. Millions of people do not have access to adequate food and clean water. Sometimes the political will is lacking, and even when it is evident, governments often do not have the resources to fund the clinics and staff needed to deliver even basic healthcare. The AIDS pandemic has made these problems worse, creating a generation of orphans and depriving communities of their greatest asset – fit, healthy and productive people.

Tackling this crisis is a complex challenge. Poverty is the fundamental cause and a huge barrier to progress. Significant political will and extra funding are needed from new national and international sources to aid development and build healthcare infrastructure. We welcome the additional resources promised by the G8 during 2005.

We believe that it is the responsibility of governments and intergovernmental agencies, supplemented by the work of many NGOs, to deliver the healthcare needed in these countries. However, the pharmaceutical industry can play a significant role in supporting their efforts.

We make an important contribution through:

• Research and development into diseases disproportionately affecting developing countries. We believe GSK is currently the only company researching both new vaccines and treatments for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria - the World Health Organization’s three priority diseases. Much of this research is conducted through public private partnerships.
• Preferential pricing, specially reduced prices for antiretrovirals (ARVs), anti-malarials and vaccines. In 2005, we shipped a combined total of 126 million preferentially-priced Combivir and Epivir tablets for the treatment of HIV/AIDS to the developing world;
• Granting voluntary licences. GSK has granted seven voluntary licences for the manufacture and supply of generic versions of our leading ARVs for treating HIV/AIDS in Africa;
• Community investment in public health initiatives and partnerships that foster effective healthcare including major programmes to tackle lymphatic filariasis, malaria, HIV/AIDS and diarrhoeal disease.

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