IN THE Philippines, GSK donated over 255 million albendazole tablets over the last 17 years.
This small white tablet is part of the fight to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF), a disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
By the end of the year, GSK projects the donation to reach 261 million albendazole tablets in support of its goal to help eliminate LF in the Philippines by 2020.
Globally, GSK donated eight billion tablets of albendazole to help eliminate the disease. This tablet is used in combination with other medicines to help prevent transmission of LF.
Following almost two decades of successful LF elimination efforts by the Philippine Government led by the Department of Health (DOH), the health agency reported that only eight provinces remain endemic for LF out of the 46 earlier established.
During the 1st Asean Lymphatic Filariasis Forum 2018 held in Manila last July, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said, “The DOH is ready to take on the challenge of eliminating filariasis in the country by being more responsive through the DOH’s revitalized agenda of Fourmula 1 Plus for Health.”
1 Fourmula 1 Plus for Health is a DOH-initiated strategy that focuses on health financing, health service delivery network, health regulation, governance in health and performance accountability.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 856 million people in 52 countries are living in areas where LF is transmitted and are at risk of being infected.
It was reported in 2000 that in the Philippines over 25 million people live in LF-endemic areas.
The WHO launched its global program to eliminate LF with the aim of defeating the disease as a global health problem by 2020. GSK and partners helped build a global alliance including organizations from across the non-profit and private sector to get behind the WHO’s campaign.
GSK’s albendazole donation through the WHO forms part of this global effort.
“The Philippine Government, through the DOH, is to be commended for its achievement in the elimination of LF in many provinces in the last two decades. This is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the government at the national and local government units, especially the health workers delivering treatments on the ground. We, in GSK, remain committed to playing our part with the global donation of albendazole for as long as it is needed to replicate this success throughout the remaining eight endemic provinces, freeing Filipino communities from the burden of LF,” said GSK Philippines general manager Sriram Jambunathan.
This year, GSK commemorates its 50th year in the Philippines and commits to continue helping Filipinos do more, feel better, live longer.
GSK, one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and health care companies, in a press release, said it is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to feel better and live longer.