Conference on drugs and innovation urges governments to support clinical research
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, October 26, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A 3-day conference of the African Network for Drugs and Innovation (ANDI) opened in Addis Ababa this week with strong calls for “support to ensure new and improved drugs, as well as diagnostic, vaccines are made accessible to the African people.” Approximately 500 participants, drawn from the health care industry, pharmaceuticals, partners and ministers responsible for health are in attendance.
“There are serious fears that Africa may not meet some of the health-related targets of the Millennium Development Goals and ECA sees ANDI as one of the tools for achieving the MDGs and promoting regional integration and economic growth,” said Ms. Jennifer Kargbo, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in her remarks made on behalf of the ECA Executive Secretary, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh.
ANDI is being seen as contributing to much-needed shift towards better collaboration in Africa’s health sector, particularly in clinical research – a move that has been received favorably around the continent by African Ministers responsible for health. The conference hopes that the research outcomes shared this week will help to bolster more funding and support from within Africa, including governments according to Ms. Kargbo.
Echoing this support was Ethiopian Health Minister, Mr. Kebede Worku, who said ANDI will be a fundamental continental key player to enhance medical progress, aimed at turning the results of basic scientific research into “tangible innovative products for the treatment of the plethora of neglected diseases that predominantly affect Africa.”
Ms. Naledi Pando, South African Minister of Science and Technology and head of the ANDI Advisory boardemphasized the need for support because ANDI has shown that “Africa has researchers who are involved in groundbreaking research.” She however pointed out that “the researchers need to get the necessary support and acknowledgement within Africa.”
Ms. Kargbo informed the media at a press conference that the outcomes and dissemination of the research by ANDI would constitute part of the building of capacity and knowledge that is needed within the health sector in Africa.
For her part, Minister Pando told the media that the reports to be shared this week with partners demonstrate that ANDI is determined to draw researchers into a results-oriented collaboration that can create value for Africa and the world.
SOURCE
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
