Conference on drugs and innovation urges governments to support clinical research

Abstract

A 3-day conference of the African Network for Drugs and Innovation (ANDI) opened in Addis Ababa this week with strong calls for “support to ensure new and improved drugs, as well as diagnostic, vaccines are made accessible to the African people.” Approximately 500 participants, drawn from the health care industry, pharmaceuticals, partners and ministers responsible for health are in attendance. “There are serious fears that Africa may not meet some of the health-related targets of the Millennium Development Goals and ECA sees ANDI as one of the tools for achieving the MDGs and promoting regional integration and economic growth,” said Ms. Jennifer Kargbo, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in her remarks made on behalf of the ECA Executive Secretary, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh.