Table 2 Examples of additional support activities by PDPs

Background information

Investigate disease burden, and share information with policy-makers.

Less need if disease is well characterized and recognized, and if there is already sufficient baseline surveillance to monitor impact.

Prioritize product introduction activities geographically based on disease burden, resistance patterns, or risk in specific populations.

Less relevant if disease is widespread and resistance patterns and risk factors vary little.

Process and people

Catalyze the establishment of decision-making structures.

More need if bridging two fields in public health (e.g., immunization and malaria); less need if strong, defined structures already exist.

Support local advocacy or communications activities to inform policy makers about a disease and/or options for addressing a disease.

Depends on involvement of others who may undertake this, e.g., WHO and/or global disease partnerships. Global communications cannot be assumed to reach country level.

Evidence base

Influence key aspects of the product development process that impact decision-making, such as pricing, supply, financing and regulatory issues, and demand estimation. Support the development and sharing of international policies, and of a post-introduction surveillance plan.

Depends on specific role of PDP in a country and in developing the product.

Generate or compile local evidence required for decision making, potentially including the funding and/or running of Phase 4 studies or operations research.

Depends on clearly defined needs from a country, whether the country can act as a regional or global source of data, and the willingness, local staffing, and available resources from PDP.

Support countries to make decisions about a complementary mix of interventions.

Only relevant if other interventions for the disease are widely used or being considered.