Pharmaceutical industry donates 14 billion treatments to eliminate NTDs

GENEVA, Switzerland — On Monday, the research-based pharmaceutical industry announced donations of 14 billion treatments this decade to support the elimination or control of nine key neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), according to a press release.

Averaging 1.4 billion treatments annually, the donations build upon companies'' existing medicines donation programs, which already reach millions of people around the world.

"For decades individual pharmaceutical companies have researched, developed, and donated medicines to fight disease and improve patients'' lives," said Eduardo Pisani, director-general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA). "Today the research-based pharmaceutical industry jointly pledges a further 14 billion treatments to help end these debilitating diseases. This is our commitment as partners to help end NTDs and improve patient health."