Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prevail among the hard-to-reach populations in the world. To protect them from NTDs, developing good health products is necessary, but is not sufficient without creating access to them. Access is a complex matter: no single organization can create it successfully. This webinar series will clarify some conceptual aspects about access, discuss key access challenges from different perspectives and how these can be overcome. The webinar series also considers how Japanese actors might be able to contribute to addressing some of those access challenges.

[Language] English. Simultaneous translation into Japanese will be provided.

[Fee] Free

[Organizer] Japan Alliance on Global Neglected Tropical Diseases (JAGntd)

[Sponsor] GHIT Fund

Session 6: Nudging the industry (2): Patent as a barrier or leverage?

Session 6 will explore the role of the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). MPP is a United Nations-backed public health organization working to increase access to life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries. MPP uses patent pooling as a mechanism to improve access to medicines. MPP negotiates with drug patent holders and licenses those patents to multiple manufacturers, who develop the licensed medicine for a defined set of developing countries. The invited speaker will explain how this mechanism works and what access barriers can be addressed by this mechanism. The audience will explore the possibility of applying the same mechanism to NTD medicines.

[Date/Time] Thursday, February 17, 2022 17: 00-18: 00 (Japan time)

[Speaker] Esteban Burrone; Medicines Patent Pool

[Registration] https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oQj14Qp4SXihr8g6fn8_Gw 

Future events

・Session 7: "Financing: Who Pays for What?" March 2022

Replay past webinars on the JAGntd Youtube channel.

Session 1: "Concepts and definitions: What is access?"

Session 2: "Developer’s perspective: Fexinidazole for African Trypanosomiasis"

Session 3: "Country's Perspective: Introduction of Pediatric Praziquantel for Schistosomiasis in Tanzania"

Session 4: "WHO/ESPEN’s perspective: Strengthening national NTD programs in Africa"

Session 5: "Nudging the Industry (1): Visualizing Pharmaceutical Companies' Efforts"