Senator Booker introduces SIGHT Act in Senate

The Global Health Technologies Coalitions (GHTC) welcomes the political declaration approved today by the United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and applauds its commitments to promote the research and development (R&D) of and equitable access to antimicrobials, vaccines, diagnostics, and other products. GHTC especially appreciates the inclusion of concrete targets, such as the goal to reduce AMR deaths by 10 percent by 2030, the commitment to raise $100 million to support the implementation of national action plans against AMR, and support for important new mechanisms like the independent panel for evidence for action against AMR, which will help guide country action and provide both technical support and accountability. GHTC also commends the text’s robust R&D language, which includes many provisions for which GHTC has advocated, such as recognition of the need for stronger local and regional manufacturing capacities and the importance of public-private partnerships (including explicit mentions of our members the Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator and the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership), and calls for stronger regional coordination of the licensing and registration of medical products and the use of push and pull incentives.   While GHTC welcomes the strong R&D focus in the political declaration, we believe that there should have been measurable research targets included as well, which would have facilitated better progress tracking and accountability among national governments. We also note with some concern the lack of follow-up outlined in the text, with the next High-Level Meeting on AMR to be held in 2029, providing insufficient time to course correct if inadequate progress has been made.   This political declaration is a laudable step forward, but the true test will be in the implementation of these commitments, as the next few months now become about setting up the right systems and structures to turn principles into action and ensure that this agenda is advanced in other multilateral forums like the G20.   “Antimicrobial resistance poses one of the most pressing threats to global health, and the High-Level Meeting on AMR and its political declaration represent a pivotal moment in our collective response,” said GHTC Executive Director Dr. Kristie Mikus. “We applaud the political declaration’s commitment to promote and invest in R&D in the AMR space, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and to push for a stronger innovation ecosystem for new technologies. As we continue to experience the rising tide of drug-resistant infections and emerging infectious threats, innovation will be more essential than ever before to promote the production of effective, affordable, and accessible health technologies on a global scale.”

GHTC Executive Director Dr. Kristie Mikus issued the following statement in response to the release by the World Health Organization (WHO) of new guidance on best practices in clinical trials. This guidance comes following a two-year development effort prompted by the 2022 adoption of a World Health Assembly resolution on strengthening clinical trial capacity. GHTC has been engaged in robust consultations with the WHO Science Division throughout the process.“Clinical trials are the backbone of medical progress, helping translate promising discoveries from a lab into proven solutions for the patients and communities who need them worldwide. We welcome the release by WHO of new clinical trial guidance, which will support countries, industry, and researchers in conducting better, more inclusive clinical trials during both ordinary times and health emergencies. We particularly applaud the guidance’s focus on strengthening trial infrastructure in low-resource settings and expanding the inclusion of groups traditionally underrepresented in clinical research, including children and pregnant and lactating women and individuals.  Every region should have the capacity to conduct high-quality research, and every person deserves to benefit from the fruits of science. Today’s release of WHO clinical trial guidance is a step forward in realizing that vision.”