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GAP-f Newsletter
13 December 2024
Dear GAP-f Members and Partners,
As we approach the end of 2024, we wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on the progress we have achieved together in bridging the paediatric medicines gap. This year has been particularly significant as we close Phase 2 of GAP-f, marking not only a milestone in our journey but also an opportunity to celebrate the work we have done together, acknowledge the challenges we have overcome, and envision the possibilities that lie ahead.
The 77th World Health Assembly this year passed a resolution to accelerate progress in reducing child mortality, emphasizing the need for renewed efforts and funding to advance the paediatric medicines agenda. GAP-f was recognized as a vital collaboration platform in this mission, reinforcing the collective commitment to ensuring every child has access to the medicines they need.
This newsletter highlights key updates from GAP-f and our partners. We hope you find it insightful and inspiring and encourage you to join us in raising awareness for #Bettermeds4kids.
Lastly, we extend our gratitude to our partners and funders for their support, dedication, and collaboration. We look forward to continuing our work together in the new year to achieve even greater impact.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a successful year ahead.
Warm regards,
The GAP-f Secretariat
Reports
Launch of GAP-f Progress Report 2022-2024
We are delighted to share the GAP-f Progress Report. This report offers open, transparent, and comprehensive accountability to GAP-f’s partners, supporters, and beneficiaries. Find our more here.
Launch of Paediatric Drug Optimization for cancer medicines report
In early 2024, GAP-f co-led a Paediatric Drug Optimization Exercise (PADO) on childhood cancer with WHO's Childhood Cancer team and with input from St. Jude Children's Hospital, MPP and CHAI. Prioritized and watch-list oral medicines were identified and an access call for dabrafenib and trametinib has been issued. Read the report here.
GAP-f Advocacy brief
GAP-f, as part of its Civil Society and Community Engagement Dialogue, has developed an advocacy brief to mobilize global advocacy efforts on access to better medicines for children. This document outlines some of the main challenges in accelerating the development of and access to better medicines for children and presents possible solutions to address those challenges.
Launch of NTD Roadmap
This Technical Brief, developed in conjunction with the EPS team in the Research for Health department and WHO's NTD department, provides succinct information for a broad group of stakeholders on the current R&D situation in terms of treatments for NTDs in children and existing gaps, with a view to addressing these gaps and supporting the research agenda.
Launch of Antibiotics meeting report
GAP-f, in collaboration with the WHO AMR Division and input from the WHO Regulatory team, GARDP and Penta, has promoted regulatory alignment and streamlining to address challenges in study design and implementation. Efforts focused on approving novel antibiotics through two technical consultations in December 2023 and March 2024, attended by over 50 participants, including regulators, industry, PDPs, researchers, and funders. Read more here.
Meetings
EMLc expert review consultation held 3-4 December 2024
An expert consultation meeting was held on 3-4 December 2024 to present the findings and gather feedback on preliminary proposals from the ongoing review of the age-appropriateness of formulations of medicines on the WHO EMLc. The proposals are being refined in response to the expert feedback received and will be submitted as an application for consideration by the WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines in May 2025.
Accelerating development of optimal formulations of priority cancer medicines
This week, WHO convened a three-day technical consultation to define the Target Product Profile that will set clear recommendations for manufacturers and PDPs for childhood cancer medicines to be prioritized and developed. The TPP will be available in Q1 2025.
Tools and Resources
GAP-f product introduction toolkit
GAP-f and partners have developed a guide to support introduction of any new product in country. Click here to find out more.
Development of the GAP-f Dashboard
To map and track the work being done on paediatric innovation, access and delivery, GAP-f has worked with its partners to develop a coherent and end-to-end approach to monitoring priority products through their product life cycle. This dashboard shows the current status of investigation, development and introduction of prioritized products, highlighting progress and remaining gaps.
Webinars and events
Click here to access recordings from GAP-f's #BetterMeds4Kids webinar series!
Watch GAP-f's event on Achieving better health for children – leadership and accountability for access to #BetterMeds4Kids
Partners Board
Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Novartis announced positive data from their phase II/III CALINA study, demonstrating that a novel formulation of Coartem® (artemether-lumefantrine) developed for babies weighing less than 5 kg with malaria has the required pharmacokinetic profile and therefore efficacy and safety. Read more here
GARDP launches policy paper on improving the global AMR response for healthier children and newborns. Read more here
Read MPP's commentary on “Access to highly effective long-acting RSV-monoclonal antibodies for children in LMICs—reducing global inequity” published in The Lancet Global Health, which highlights the significant impact of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on child health, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).
