Allen, Tim 
ORCID: 0000-0003-1866-0181 and Parker, Melissa
(2011)
The 'other diseases' of the millennium development goals: rhetoric and reality of free drug distribution to cure the poor's parasites.
Third World Quarterly, 32 (1).
pp. 91-117.
ISSN 0143-6597
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Abstract
The sixth MDG aims 'to combat HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and other diseases'. The residual category of 'other diseases' has become the focus of intense interest, partly because it has provided an opportunity to increase resources for the control of the mostly parasitic 'neglected tropical diseases' (NTDs). Intense lobbying has secured large amounts of funding from donors, as well as generous donations of medicines from the major drug companies. A massive programme is now underway to treat the parasites of the poor in Africa via integrated vertical interventions of mass drug administration in endemic areas. The approach has been hailed as remarkably effective, with claims that there is now a real prospect of complete control and, for some NTDs, even elimination. However, a closer look at evaluation and research data reveals that much less is known about what is being achieved than is suggested. Competition between implementing organisations is leading to potentially counterproductive exaggerations about treatment coverage. Detailed local-level research in Uganda and Tanzania shows that actual rates of drug take-up among target populations are often lower than is necessary to effectively control the diseases, and that methods of drug distribution may even lead to active resistance to treatment. If current trends are not corrected, declining rates of NTD infection will not be sustained. Much more rigorous and effective monitoring is essential.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ctwq20/current |
| Additional Information: | © 2011 The Authors. Published by Taylor & Francis. |
| Divisions: | International Development |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Mar 2011 13:32 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Sep 2024 12:45 |
| Funders: | Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI), Imperial College and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/33741 |
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