In this regular feature on Breakthroughs, we highlight some of the most interesting reads in global health research from the past week.
Representatives of major pharmaceutical companies in Europe and the United States have pledged to release detailed data about their drugs to outside researchers.
The World Health Organization has prequalified a new vaccine against Japanese Encephalitis, biopharmaceutical company Biological E announced this week.
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations released its fiscal year 2014 funding levels for global health programs, which includes support for research programs at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department.
In related news, Foreign Policy reports that global health and development advocates are “reeling” from a House Appropriations Committee bill that would slash funding for several key international assistance programs.
USAID and the National Institutes of Health announced funding for 16 new health research projects in 10 countries under the agencies’ Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research Health program.
Following the African Union Special Summit earlier this month, leaders pledged to work toward the elimination of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in Africa by 2030. Key components of this pledge include supporting vaccine development, scaling up investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, and enhancing access to affordable and quality medicines.