The Global Health Technologies Coalition advocates for accelerated development of health solutions for poor countries

Health technologies have the potential to save millions of lives each year. More than six million people die annually from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, and another one billion are devastated by “neglected” tropical diseases. The world urgently needs new vaccines, drugs, microbicides, and diagnostic tests to slow these global threats and tackle many other pressing health needs.

However, insufficient funds for research and development, regulatory challenges in approving new technologies, and the perceived lack of a market for such products by private industry can hinder the development of new health solutions for the developing world.

To remove these obstacles, a diverse group of nongovernmental organizations have come together as partners in the Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC). Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the coalition is dedicated to increasing awareness about the research and development needed to address critical global health challenges. The coalition’s secretariat is housed at PATH.

Influence through collaboration

The coalition convenes and coordinates an active constituency composed of members of the global health community to increase awareness and leadership among US decision-makers about the need for policies and resources to accelerate development and delivery of global health technologies. The GHTC does not advocate for any specific diseases or devices, but rather for policies and funding that advance the goals of global health research and development more broadly.

The coalition works to:

• Build and support an informed and influential constituency for global health technologies.
• Conduct policy analysis to inform, develop, and pursue a strategic advocacy agenda.
• Conduct outreach and pursue strategic alliances.
• Educate and inform policymakers.

Coalition members pursue advocacy around specific policy topics, including:

• Public financing. Calling for increased financing, coordination, and strategic investments by the US government in global health research and development.
• Regulatory pathways. Advocating for streamlined regulatory processes and pathways to accelerate licensing of safe and effective global health technologies.
• Incentives and innovative financing. Supporting the adoption of new market-based incentives to encourage investments by private industry in global health research and development.

In 2008, the coalition educated lawmakers about the need for innovative funding mechanisms to develop new vaccines. The coalition has held numerous meetings and events to inform Congress and the Obama presidential administration about these issues (for an example, read more about a congressional briefing on “advance market commitments” for vaccines). Additional advocacy initiatives are underway to educate US policymakers as they determine future funding and policies.

Diverse members, shared focus

More than 25 nonprofit organizations participate in the GHTC. Members range from advocacy groups to think tanks to product development partnerships. United, we are raising a powerful collective voice for vital vaccines, drugs, and other health tools that can save lives around the world.

To find out more about the coalition, please email advocacy@path.org.

Photo: Umit Kartoglu.