Global funding for research and development on neglected diseases reached a historic low in 2015, driven by declining public sector investment. The G-FINDER report by Australia-based independent group, Policy Cures Research, says that the decline is due to the lack of funding by rich countries. According to it, this is the lowest-ever funding on record by the US. Same can be said of the UK. The G-FINDER analysis tracks public and private investment in diseases that affect people in the developing countries.

Less money for “top tier” diseases

In 2015, the latest year for which figures are made available, US $ 3.041 billion was invested in research and development (R&D) of neglected diseases. This is a 2.3 per cent reduction when compared to 2014 and the third successive year of decreased funding. Despite cash crunch, investments in Ebola and other African viral haemorrhagic fevers shot up to touch US $ 631 million in 2015, more than what was spent on any other neglected diseases except HIV/AIDS.  

“Top tier” diseases suffered the most as a result of reduced funds, the report adds, as the overall funding dropped by 3.3 per cent. Though HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria received 71 per cent funding, the decline has set alarm bells ringing. Investments in HIV/AIDS reduced by 5.4 per cent (US $ 54 million less) and malaria dropped by 3.06 per cent (US $ 17 million less). Funding for tuberculosis was up by a mere 0.5 per cent.