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EDITORIALS: Gavin Yamey and Peter Hotez Neglected tropical diseases BMJ 2007; 335: 269-270 [Full text]

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Collaboration is key to reversing neglect for tropical diseases

Martin M Carroll, Edwin Borman, Chairman, BMA International Committee   (17 August 2007)

Collaboration is key to reversing neglect for tropical diseases 17 August 2007
Martin M Carroll, International Department British Medical Association, Edwin Borman, Chairman, BMA International Committee Send response to journal: Re: Collaboration is key to reversing neglect for tropical diseases	We share Yamey and Hotez's view [1] that there is much cause for optimism in the arena of drug development for neglected diseases. Yet, in spite of the resurgence led by product development partnerships (PDPs), progress remains hampered by a funding shortfall. Moran's research [2] cited the often heterogeneous nature of (PDPs) as a possible factor in government reluctance to commit funding. Earlier this year, the BMA launched Neglected diseases: doctors can make a difference [3], a condensed version of Moran's research, aimed at national medical associations (NMAs).  We hope that NMAs and their members will use the evidence within it to urge Ministers of Finance to look again at PDPs and realise that they are a low-risk investment, the return on which could be the reversal of decades of neglect and the saving of many millions of lives. As Yamey and Hotez point out, other innovative models are emerging to support and enhance the work of PDPs. The BMA welcomes this but also has some concerns: the proliferation of activity, with several pharmaceutical companies focused on the same disease group, may result in duplication and the wasting of precious resources. We advocate more collaboration, both within and between the research and funding sectors, to optimise drug discovery, clinical trials and funding flows. We hope that PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases will flourish as a forum for the development of progressive approaches to diseases which for too long have been neglected. Martin Carroll, BMA International Department Edwin Borman, Chairman, BMA International Committee References: 1. Yamey and Hotez Neglected Tropical Diseases BMJ 2007;335:269-70 (11 August) 2. Moran M, Ropars A-L, Guzman J, Diaz J, Garrison C. The new landscape of neglected disease drug development. London: Wellcome Trust, 2005 3. Moran M, Guzman J, Ropars A-L, Evans A. Neglected diseases: doctors can make a difference. London: British Medical Association, 2007 Competing interests: The authors led the BMA project which commissioned 'Neglected diseases: doctors can make a difference'.