154th WHO Executive Board Agenda Item 11: Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030

Below is a statement which Global Health Council shared at the 154th session of the World Health Organization’s Executive Board.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are inextricably linked to poverty and inequality. Increased attention in recent years has brought new resources to the fight against NTDs and fueled research breakthroughs. Yet very significant gaps remain in the arsenal of tools needed to control and eliminate these diseases, underscoring the need for research and development (R&D) of new tools. Diagnosis in particular is central to accelerating progress towards controlling and eliminating NTDs and meeting the goals of the 2021-2030 NTD Roadmap. 

We call on Member states to sustain and expand investments to accelerate R&D of safe and affordable treatments for NTDs and improved diagnostics, particularly for NTDs with specific unmet needs for use in primary healthcare settings. 

We urge WHO and Member States to work together to explore regulatory and manufacturing pathways to facilitate simultaneous or aligned prequalification and regulatory approval processes of in-vitro diagnostics to accelerate market access.