Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support research and development into prevention methods for infectious diseases that predominantly affect developing countries; and what are their plans to address any shortfall in research and development finance for disease prevention products.

The UK Government is the second largest Government supporter of research and development for new health products for infectious diseases. In August 2013, following an open competition, funding of £138 million (for the period 2013 -2018) was announced to support the development of a range of new health technologies, including: drugs, diagnostics, microbicides, vector control and vaccines for infectious diseases that predominantly affect developing countries, such as TB, HIV, malaria, sleeping sickness and diarrhoeal diseases. Additionally, DFID funds major trials of new methods of delivery of prevention alongside the Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust, the World Health Organisation and others.

DFID works closely with others involved in product development research, including funders, to identify opportunities to address shortfalls in research funding.