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Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme makes unprecedented strides

7 October 2008

A milestone study published today in the journal PLoS (Public library of Science) on Neglected Tropical Diseases confirms that unprecedented strides have been made towards eliminating the world of one of its most debilitating diseases, lymphatic filariasis (LF). 

The study found that, in the ten years since GSK’s commitment, the LF elimination programme has prevented 6.6 million children from acquiring LF and stopped a further 9.5 million infected people from progressing to more debilitating stages.  All of this is the result of the fastest growing drug administration programme in public health history, delivering what the study calls the “best buy in public health”.

GSK is proud to be a founding partner of Global Alliance to Elimination Lymphatic Filariasis, which the paper recognises as a model of international collaboration. The LF elimination treatment programme utilises a combination of two anti-parasitic drugs, one of them donated by GSK, administered once yearly to everyone in an at-risk area.  When given for a minimum of five consecutive years, these drugs prove to effectively stop the transmission of LF.

Future public-private partnerships will look to the global LF elimination effort as a standout example of how groups can come together to solve a major public health issue,” said Dr. Lorenzo Savioli, MD, MSc, Director of the Department Neglected Tropical Disease at the World Health Organisation.  “We must take the lessons we have learned from the LF model and apply them toward the treatment and elimination of other neglected tropical diseases.”

As the Global Programme continues towards its goal of eliminating LF by 2020, the coming years will see additional rapid growth and expansion.  

To find out more:
Read the PLoS paper two page summary (PDF 443Kb)
GSK InBrief summary of LF programme (PDF 1.1Mb)
Read more about GSK’s support for the LF programme (PDF 722Kb)

To help, you can make a contribution by visiting:
www.filariasis.org/resources/donation.htm