The brief message to global health leaders noted they should 'contribute their fair share to pharmaceutical innovation.'
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar added $7 million Tuesday to the U.S. government's pledged financial assistance in the fight against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Azar made the announcement in a speech during the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, where he joined global health leaders to discuss the World Health Organization's priorities.
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"One key priority must be infectious threats that can cross borders—especially influenza," Azar said in his prepared remarks. "One hundred years ago, the 1918 influenza pandemic infected a third of the global population and killed more than 50 million worldwide, showing how high the costs of poor preparation can be."
- Touted the U.S. and its global commitment: "We are, thankfully, better prepared for a flu pandemic today, in part because the United States invests generously in pandemic preparedness at home and abroad," Azar said.
- Added financial support to fight Ebola: The additional $7 million Azar pledged on behalf of the U.S. government adds to a $1 million pledge announced last week, and it "complements the work of American technical experts" already on the ground, Azar said.
- Addressed prescription costs: Azar noted that President Donald Trump has prioritized lowering prescription drug costs for Americans and "condemned practices by which other countries command unfairly low prices [on] innovative drugs," adding that the U.S. government is working to make sure other countries "contribute their fair share to pharmaceutical innovation."
Steven Porter is an associate content manager and Strategy editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.