Availability and affordability of treatment for Human African Trypanosomiasis

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a re-emerging disease whose usual tr eatments are becoming less efficient because of the increasing parasite res istance. Availability of HAT drugs is poor and their production in danger b ecause of technical, ecological and economic constraints. In view of this d ramatic situation, a network involving experts from NGOs, WHO and pharmaceu tical producers was commissioned with updating estimates of need for each H AT drug for the coming years; negotiations with potential producers of new drugs such as eflornithine; securing sustainable manufacturing of existing drugs; clinical research into new combinations of these drugs for first and second-line treatments; centralizing drug purchases and their distribution through a unique non-profit entity; and addressing regulatory and legal is sues concerning new drugs.