B ETHESDA , M ARYLAND - It is time for bold action to stimulate the development of vaccines for major killers in the world - AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis - according to a panel of experts convened here May 22 to 23 Technically, these vaccines are feasible, the group concluded, but the funding will go up considerably
Scientists believe that new vaccines are the only way to get the great plagues of the world under control. Economists believe that healthy populations could also be a shot in the arm for development, particularly in Africa. But with the exception of AIDS, the pharmaceutical industry has not taken much interest in the development of vaccines against common diseases because they do not expect to make a profit. And there was little political support on Capitol Hill to pass on diseases that afflict some US citizens.
But it seems to change. Recently, the industry leaders have expressed a desire to help, and in January, President Clinton announced his Millennium Vaccine Initiative, in which he proposed a series of measures to boost research on vaccines. Bills introduced in the House and Senate would do the same. The meeting this week was held at the request of Clinton and hosted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was set up to propose new ways to propel the development of vaccines. With the peaking political interest, "now is your chance, people," said NIAID Director Anthony Fauci them together researchers, experts in public health, and executives from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry
In three sessions -. For tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS - participants identified the main obstacles on the road to a vaccine and came with a plethora of ideas to make them disappear. The malaria researchers want the president to launch a "vaccination against malaria aggressive" and increase federal funding of the current $ 25 million to $ 500 million per year; Moreover, the US should commit to buying $ 500 million a year the value of vaccines once they have been developed to ensure the industry with a market. AIDS group called for a funding increase of 10 times, while TB researchers suggested the establishment of a new agency, flexible funding that rewards good scientific ideas quickly. The suggestions will be compiled into a report and sent to the White House.
Get scientists and industry to map out a common strategy "is a very important step," said Malegapuru Makgoba, Chairman of the South Africa Medical Research. And with the current political momentum, the results are handy, Makgoba said: ". I am confident, for example, that we will see a vaccine against AIDS in the next 5 or 6 years "
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