The five-year extension will come into effect in April 2012, when the previous agreement signed in 2007 expires.
Bayer HealthCare has also committed to doubling its initial donation of 2.5 million Lampit tablets (nifurtimox) for the treatment of Chagas disease to 5 million by 2017. In addition, the company will contribute US$1.5m to fund logistics and distribution.
‘Neglected tropical diseases like Chagas disease are a major burden for the people of Latin America,’ said Andreas Fibig, president of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.
‘The early contract extension affirms our continued commitment to support WHO in its efforts. At the same time, it provides WHO with a predictable supply of product to plan ahead in its fight against the disease,’ he added.
WHO assistant director general Dr Hiroki Nakatani said: ‘The extension of this agreement underscores 10 years of collaboration between WHO and Bayer to fight Chagas disease.
‘Bayer's continuing support in donating high-quality medicines and providing financial support for distribution, logistics and for national health-care programmes will greatly help to reduce the extent of Chagas disease in countries where the burden on health and society is greatest.’
According to WHO, more than 10,000 people die every year as a result of Chagas disease, mostly in Latin America, in addition to an estimated 10 million people infected, more than 25 million are considered at risk.
