Bayer supports the WHO in its fight against Chagas disease

Bayer HealthCare AG supports the World Health Organization (WHO) in its fight against Chagas disease. A new agreement for the provision of 2.5 million tablets of Lampit® (active ingredient: nifurtimox) and additional funding has now been signed. This agreement will ensure the supply of Lampit® for the next five years.

This is the third agreement between Bayer HealthCare AG and the WHO to improve the provision of this effective drug for Chagas patients in Latin America – irrespective of the financial situation of the persons concerned.

Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that is widespread in many countries of Central and South America. The pathogen is transmitted by blood-sucking insects, blood transfusions with infected blood – or even during pregnancy if the mother is suffering from the disease. Between 16 and 18 million people are currently infected and another 120 million are at risk to suffer from this fatal disease.

"We are pleased to be a reliable partner supporting the WHO in its fight against this serious and widespread disease in the long term," said Arthur J. Higgins, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Bayer HealthCare AG and Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer Schering Pharma AG. "As a leading specialty pharmaceuticals company, we feel obliged to address areas of unmet medical need and neglected diseases."

Dr. Jean Jannin, Coordinator of Communicable Disease Control, Prevention and Eradication at the WHO, emphasized: "The partnership with Bayer HealthCare will support the WHO in its commitment to combat Chagas disease. We are doing everything in our power to eliminate this disease, which represents a public health problem, by the year 2010."

Bayer HealthCare
Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering Pharma and as Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals in the US and Canada. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide.

Bayer Schering Pharma
Bayer Schering Pharma is a worldwide leading specialty pharmaceutical company. Its research and business activities are focused on the following areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Hematology/Cardiology, Oncology, Primary Care, Specialized Therapeutics and Women's Healthcare. With innovative products, Bayer Schering Pharma aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. Using new ideas, Bayer Schering Pharma aims to make a contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the quality of life.