Big Pharma slammed for executive payouts that nearly matched R&D budget
Twenty of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies made payouts to their executives and shareholders that almost equaled the money they spent on research and development between 2020 and 2022, according to a new analysis that the People’s Vaccine Alliance released ahead of this week’s World Health Summit in Berlin. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies and allied governments maintain that they […]
Activists worry drug access may be sacrificed in trade deals
Trade negotiations between the EU and India have been reignited — and with them the debates over intellectual property over medicines, which could affect global public health. Read more.
Development groups prepare to fight German budget cuts
After months of debate, Germany’s ruling coalition has proposed to cut the 2024 aid budget, setting off alarm bells in development circles. Now, activists will attempt to persuade lawmakers to restore some of the funding. Read more.
Can the G20 actually deliver on global health?
India has big health goals for its presidency of the Group of 20 leading economies. But there are questions about the effectiveness of the G20 as a forum for delivering useful global health outcomes. Read more.
Supply of one of the world’s oldest antibiotics under threat
The fragile supply of one of the world’s oldest antibiotics, benzathine penicillin G, which is critical for treating syphilis and preventing and managing rheumatic heart disease, is at risk. Pfizer has announced a shortage of its version of the injectable, long-acting form of penicillin, which the company markets as Bicillin. The pharmaceutical company said it […]
Are we actually on a path to ending AIDS?
In a new report, UNAIDS laid out a path for ending AIDS by 2030. The problem, one activist says, is not just that the world is not on that path, but is actually increasingly deviating from it. Read more.
Why the ‘Grand Bargain’ failed to deliver its promise of local funding
The Grand Bargain was a collection of the great in humanitarian work, and they promised that a quarter of their money would go to local organizations. After seven years of trying, they’re further away from that target than ever. What went wrong? Read more.
The Global Fund embraces integration of chronic diseases
For the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the funding priorities are in the name. But links between AIDS and TB, in particular, and noncommunicable diseases, have driven calls for the financier to expand its focus to offer more funding for services that integrate NCDs such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. “The awareness is […]
Germany looks to remote learning to promote STEM in Africa
Remote control of technology will be key to a new pilot initiative, which focuses on training girls and women. Read more.
Are we on the verge of closing global gaps in diagnostics?
At this year’s World Health Assembly in May, delegates passed a resolution that could be the first step in dramatically scaling up access to the tests and equipment needed to accurately determine what is making people sick — particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Read more.