GHTC applauds passage of Global Health Innovation Act

Update: On Thursday, January 3, 2019, the President signed this legislation into law.

WASHINGTON, DC—The Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC) applauds yesterday’s Senate passage of the Global Health Innovation Act, a bipartisan bill to support efforts by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop affordable, appropriate technologies to advance the health of people in the world’s poorest places. The bill, which has already passed the House of Representatives, now heads to the President’s desk where he is expected to sign it into law.

“Investments in research and development are critical to tackling the world’s greatest global health challenges and building a safer, healthier world for all,” said Emily Conron, US Policy and Advocacy Officer at GHTC. “Passage of this bill is a strong endorsement of the importance of continued US leadership in global health research and will help USAID continue to build upon and maximize the impact of its activities in this space.”

This legislation, long championed by GHTC, will enhance transparency and oversight to provide a clearer picture of USAID’s strategic engagement in health research and development (R&D) as part of the agency’s broader mission to empower partner nations with the tools needed to solve their health and development challenges. Specifically, the bill directs USAID to report annually to Congress on its health R&D activities, progress, and impact and articulate how the agency is working in coordination with other US agencies, donors, and through public-private partnership to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of programs.

For decades, USAID has supported the development and scale up of low-cost, high-impact technologies to address the health needs of vulnerable populations worldwide. The agency has helped advance 22 new lifesaving global health technologies approved since 2000 and is supporting 36 promising products now in late-stage development.

The Global Health Innovation Act was introduced by Representatives Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL). It passed the House of Representatives in January 2018 before progressing without amendment to the Senate.

“GHTC would like to thank Representatives Sires and Diaz-Balart and the many other members who supported this legislation and who have continued to make global health research a bipartisan priority,” said Conron.