Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative
77th WHA Individual Statements
We urge Member States to support the development, introduction, and scale-up of appropriate treatment options, including paediatric formulations, to improve health outcomes for people with advanced HIV disease. Weakened immune function makes people with advanced HIV disease highly susceptible to cryptococcal meningitis, a fungal infection. While treatments exist, either access is limited, or existing treatments are difficult to administer. Additionally, barely half of children with HIV have access to antiretroviral treatment.
Despite a decline in hepatitis C incidence and mortality, only 36% of people living with the disease have been diagnosed, and only 20% have received curative treatment. While antivirals are available, barriers remain in accessing affordable treatments. We urge Member States to take urgent actions to remove barriers to hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment, including patent barriers, and to include new, affordable direct-acting antivirals in national essential medicines lists.