ABSTRACT
From 2001 to 2023, 17 (14%) of 120 neonates with confirmed herpes simplex virus infection tested positive for herpes simplex virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from only mucosal sites without a clinical mucosal lesion. Whether mucosal PCR positivity reflects early infection that may lead to recognizable disease, transient colonization, or a false-positive PCR result remains a clinical conundrum and warrants further study.
ABSTRACT
Jane H. Mashingia and colleagues reveal the progress made to date for the East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonization initiative.
Subject(s)
Community Medicine/trends , Drug Approval , Drug and Narcotic Control/trends , Health Services Accessibility/trends , Africa, Eastern/epidemiology , Community Medicine/legislation & jurisprudence , Drug Approval/legislation & jurisprudence , Drug and Narcotic Control/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Services Accessibility/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Established in 2020, the Oslo Medicines Initiative (OMI) is a collaboration between the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Norwegian Medicines Agency. The OMI has provided a neutral platform for the public and private sectors jointly to outline a vision for equitable and sustainable access to and affordability of effective, novel and high-priced medicines. This policy brief draws on the analyses and policy considerations that have emerged from the work undertaken through the OMI, including a series of commissioned technical reports. A product life-cycle approach has been used to explore specific responsibilities and corresponding policy options available to governments and other stakeholders. This policy brief highlights opportunities for further work to design and implement policies and supporting tools that promote sustainable access to affordable, effective novel medicines.