Donated tropical disease drugs risk expiry as funding dries up

Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases Executive Director Dr Isatou Touray. [File, Standard]

More than one million donated drugs risk expiring within nine months due to deep cuts in global aid, threatening treatment programmes for neglected tropical diseases in Africa.

The warning comes as the Kigali Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) marks its third anniversary.

Launched in 2022 by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, the declaration aims to eliminate NTDs by 2030.

Dr Isatou Touray, executive director of Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases, said the aid crisis is undermining hard-won progress.

“Without immediate action, millions of vulnerable people will go without treatment, and more than a million donated drugs could expire,” said Touray.

NTDs affect more than one billion people globally, with nearly 40 per cent of the burden in Africa. The diseases, including trachoma and river blindness, are linked to poor sanitation and poverty.

Since the launch, endorsements have grown from 57 to 84 countries and organisations. Sudan is the latest to join the declaration. Support has included over US$1.8 billion in financial and in-kind contributions.

However, recent cuts in official development assistance, especially from the United States, have disrupted drug delivery systems.

“Every dose lost is a life impacted,” observed Touray. “We cannot afford to watch donated medicine expire while people remain untreated.”

Pharmaceutical companies have continued their pledges. Merck delivered its five billionth dose of Mectizan, GSK distributed its 12 billionth dose of albendazole, and Novartis nearly doubled its investment in research. But treatment access remains limited without matching delivery infrastructure.

In February, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership announced €46 million in new research funding. Still, advocates say research alone will not prevent disruptions in care.

To monitor commitments, the Kigali Declaration Commitment Tracker remains publicly accessible. It enables stakeholders to track funding and progress, though campaigners warn transparency tools must be backed by action.

At the recent World Health Assembly, Mauritania and Papua New Guinea were recognised for eliminating trachoma. Since last year, 11 countries have eliminated at least one NTD, bringing the total to 56.

Touray explained that while such victories are encouraging, momentum will stall without urgent funding.

“We have the medicines, the tools and the political will,” she noted. “Now we need sustained investment to reach those most in need.”