ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The
International Trachoma Initiative (ITI), Pfizer
Inc. and International
Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC) partners announce Pfizer’s
donation of the 500 millionth dose of Zithromax® (azithromycin) Tablets,
an antibiotic used to treat trachoma in certain countries. The milestone
marks significant achievement in global efforts to help eliminate this
infectious and preventable eye disease that can lead to permanent
blindness as a public health threat by the year 2020.
“This is a remarkable milestone. The donation of Zithromax is proving to
be an important catalyst for global progress towards the elimination of
trachoma, an age-old, painful blinding disease”
Today, delegations from the U.K. and U.S. governments, non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and Pfizer are gathering in the Wolisso region of
Ethiopia to celebrate the donation of the 500 millionth Zithromax dose
and a significant expansion of the national trachoma elimination program
in the country.
“This milestone highlights what is possible when partners work together
toward a common goal and signifies remarkable achievement in our fight
to eliminate trachoma globally,” said Virginia Sarah, chair,
International Coalition for Trachoma Control, an alliance of
organizations committed to supporting national program efforts in more
than 30 countries to eliminate trachoma using the SAFE strategy, an
approach that includes antibiotic treatment. “Our collective efforts are
helping to reduce the impacts of this ancient, preventable disease on
affected individuals, families and communities.”
The burden of trachoma remains highest in Ethiopia, with 75 million
people at risk, and the Federal Ministry of Health is working with
Alliance partners to significantly expand the number of people in
Ethiopia who are treated.
“The expansion of the SAFE strategy across Ethiopia is vital in
alleviating the sufferings of millions of our people and ultimately
eradicating trachoma from our soil,” said His Excellency Dr.
Kesetebirhan Admasu, Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia. “The burden of trachoma is too high, but with the
implementation of SAFE strategies, including Pfizer’s donation of
Zithromax, and efficient partnership with international partners, we are
determined to achieve this goal.”
Trachoma is an infectious disease, which can develop into a condition in
which eyelids turn inwards and eyelashes scrape the eyeball, causing
great pain, corneal ulcers and irreversible blindness. There are 232
million people in 58 countries at risk, with more than 80 percent of the
global burden of the disease concentrated in 14 countries, mostly in
Africa. Trachoma is responsible for the visual impairment of
approximately 2.2 million people, 1.2 million of whom are irreversibly
blind. It threatens entire socio-economic infrastructures and as a
result, is estimated to cause USD $3-6 billion in lost productivity per
year across affected countries.
“I am extremely grateful to Pfizer for having donated 500 million doses
of Zithromax in the fight against blinding trachoma to date," said
former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, founder of The Carter Center, a
pioneer and partner in disease elimination activities. “The Carter
Center is proud to have distributed more than 25 percent of those doses
in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the most trachoma-endemic area of the
world, along with our partners Lions Clubs International Foundation and
the Federal Ministry of Health. Together, we remain committed to
eliminating blinding trachoma and reducing unnecessary suffering.”
Partners celebrating today are working as part of The World Health
Organization (WHO) Alliance
for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET 2020). The
Alliance is a unique collaboration of more than 100 governments, NGOs
and private sector partners implementing a WHO-recommended strategy
called “SAFE”
that combines:
-
Surgery to treat the blinding stage of
the disease,
-
Antibiotics to treat infection,
particularly administration of Zithromax,
-
Facial cleanliness to help reduce
transmission, and
-
Environmental improvement, particularly
improving access to water and sanitation.
This integrated strategy ensures that the positive impacts of antibiotic
treatments are sustained through improved hygiene, while surgery ensures
that those who cannot be cured are still treated to alleviate their
discomfort and improve their quality of life.
“At Pfizer we believe that access to quality healthcare and the
opportunity to lead healthy lives is an extremely important social
goal,” said Ian Read, chief executive officer, Pfizer. “The power and
value of collaboration between public and private organizations in
achieving that goal cannot be overstated. We are proud to work with our
international partners on this mission to help end trachoma by 2020.”
Since the Alliance was formed in 1998, partners have treated more than
one hundred million people in 33 countries. In 2012, Oman became the
first country to achieve WHO validation of trachoma elimination. In
addition, China, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Morocco, Myanmar and Vietnam have
all reported the achievement of elimination goals to WHO, and are
awaiting the outcome of the validation process.*
“As we celebrate our great progress, it is critical that we remain
steadfast in our efforts to eliminate trachoma from the lives of
everyone it affects,” said Dr. Paul Emerson, director, International
Trachoma Initiative, the ICTC member organization that manages Pfizer’s
Zithromax donation. “We have the partners, tools and momentum to beat
this debilitating disease, and we are driving toward 2020 with a sense
of urgency and determination. Together we can help ensure that all
people of all nations will never have to endure the horror caused by
trachoma.”
Learn more about Alliance for GET 2020 activities and join the online
conversation by using #500MillionDoses.
Additional Partner Comments
World Health Organization
“Trachoma is on track for elimination as a public health problem in many
countries thanks to the dedication of national programs, support of a
coalition of partners and stakeholders and the collaboration of affected
communities,” said Dr. Winnie Mpanju-Shumbusho, WHO assistant
director-general for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Neglected
Tropical Diseases. "Tackling this leading infectious cause of blindness
through the SAFE strategy yields additional benefits against other
diseases of poverty, and provides an important opportunity to improve
the overall health and livelihood of endemic populations.”
United States Agency for International Development
“Our work with global allies in the fight against blinding trachoma
truly signifies the power of collaboration to achieve global health
wins. USAID has supported the delivery of Zithromax to trachoma-endemic
countries around the world since 2007,” said Ariel Pablos-Méndez,
assistant administrator for Global Health, USAID. “The reach and success
of USAID's efforts in trachoma under the neglected tropical disease
(NTD) Program would not have been possible without the tremendous
commitment from Pfizer. I congratulate all partners involved in the
global trachoma effort for achieving this historic milestone.”
The Fred Hollows Foundation
"Working together with other partners, The Fred Hollows Foundation
believes we can eliminate trachoma by 2020 and we are ramping up our
efforts to tackle the disease in Ethiopia and around the world," said
Brian Doolan, chief executive officer, The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Lions Clubs International Foundation
“Lions Clubs International Foundation is committed to the elimination of
avoidable blindness and the Lions SightFirst program is proud to be part
of the global effort to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem.
LCIF has supported the work of local Lions, The Carter Center and other
NGO partners in Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nepal,
Nigeria, and other countries for more than 15 years,” said Jim Ervin,
past president, Lions Clubs International. “With the donation of the 500
millionth dose of Zithromax, we mark an important milestone in the fight
against trachoma. We are making incredible progress, but our work is not
done. The Lions and LCIF remains committed to the elimination of
trachoma in Ethiopia and around the world.”
Orbis International
“The magnitude of this incredible milestone highlights the amazing power
of partnerships and just what can be achieved when organizations work
together towards a common goal. By recognizing each other’s strengths we
have created an effective strategy to tackle trachoma. It’s hard to
calculate the total impact of this work; hundreds of millions of lives
have been positively affected by the distribution of Zithromax,” said
Rebecca Cronin, chief executive officer, United Kingdom, Orbis
International. “This action has empowered people to generate an income,
build up economies through enabling a workforce to be free of this
devastating condition and has helped children to gain an education. But
we can do more, and we will continue to do so until this condition is
stamped out across the world.”
The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust
“This is a remarkable milestone. The donation of Zithromax is proving to
be an important catalyst for global progress towards the elimination of
trachoma, an age-old, painful blinding disease,” said Dr. Astrid
Bonfield, CBE, chief executive, The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee
Trust. “We are very grateful for Pfizer’s generous donation of Zithromax
to the programs of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust to combat
trachoma in Commonwealth countries. The end of this disease and its
devastating consequences will mean so much to the families and
communities affected.”
RTI International
“The ENVISION project works with numerous countries around the world to
reduce and ultimately eliminate trachoma in their communities. This year
we are seeing countries complete all baseline trachoma prevalence
mapping, a feat previously unthinkable,” said Lisa Rotondo, ENVISION
project director, RTI International. “Mass drug administration is
underway and is expanding to new areas where it's needed. At the same
time, hundreds of districts are conducting impact assessments to
determine whether trachoma has been reduced and where they can stop
treatment with Zithromax. It’s an incredibly exciting time – none of
these accomplishments would have been possible without the partners’
continued commitment to the global elimination campaign.”
Sightsavers
“Sightsavers is excited to be part of this huge public and private
sector collaboration which truly demonstrates that by working together
progress can be made in the global fight to eliminate this infectious
and blinding disease. Over the last five years, we have supported the
distribution of more than 37 million doses of Zithromax across Africa,”
said Dr. Caroline Harper, chief executive officer, Sightsavers. “Three
years ago, the U.K. government funded the Global Trachoma Mapping
Project, the largest infectious disease mapping survey ever to be
carried out. The project began in Ethiopia and as the global mapping
nears completion, it seems only fitting that the 500 millionth dose is
donated to Ethiopia, a country which has been a shining light in global
efforts to eliminate trachoma.”
About The Alliance for GET 2020
The WHO-led Alliance for Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020
(GET 2020) is a network of partners who are working across the globe to
implement the SAFE strategy in areas most in need. Commitments and
funding for these activities are provided by government agencies,
including United States Agency for International Development (USAID),
United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID), Pfizer
Inc. and members of ICTC. Alliance members celebrating today include The
Carter Center, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Helen Keller International,
International Trachoma Initiative, Light for the World, Lions Clubs
International Foundation, Orbis International, The Queen Elizabeth
Diamond Jubilee Trust, RTI International, Sightsavers, and many others.
About the International Coalition for Trachoma Control
The International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC) is a coalition
of NGOs, donors, research/academic institutions and private sector
organizations supporting efforts to eliminate trachoma by 2020. ICTC was
formed in 2004 to support the WHO-led Alliance for the Global
Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020 (GET 2020) and advocate for the
implementation of the WHO-endorsed SAFE strategy. For more information,
please visit www.TrachomaCoalition.org.
About The International Trachoma Initiative
The International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) was founded in 1998 in
response to the WHO call to achieve Global Elimination of Trachoma by
2020 (GET 2020). ITI’s founding partners, Pfizer Inc. and the Edna
McConnell Clark Foundation, saw the need for an international NGO
dedicated solely to the elimination of trachoma. The ITI is currently
administered by the Task Force for Global Health, an independent not for
profit. To achieve that goal, ITI collaborates with governmental and NGO
agencies at the local, national and international levels to implement
the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy for trachoma control. For more
information, please visit www.Trachoma.org.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world®
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies
to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive
to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery,
development and manufacture of health care products. Our global
portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world's
best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues
work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness,
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more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who
rely on us. To learn more, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.
*Not all countries listed receive Zithromax through the International
Trachoma Initiative
About ZITHROMAX IN THE UNITED STATES
INDICATIONS
ZITHROMAX is a macrolide antibacterial drug indicated for mild to
moderate infections caused by designated, susceptible bacteria:
-
Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in adults
-
Acute bacterial sinusitis in adults
-
Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections in adults
-
Urethritis and cervicitis in adults
-
Genital ulcer disease in men
-
Acute otitis media in pediatric patients
-
Community-acquired pneumonia in adults and pediatric patients
-
Pharyngitis/tonsillitis in adults and pediatric patients
ZITHROMAX is not approved in the United States and EU to treat
trachoma.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
-
ZITHROMAX is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity
to azithromycin, erythromycin, any macrolide or ketolide drug and in
patients with a history of cholestatic jaundice/hepatic dysfunction
associated with prior use of azithromycin.
-
Serious (including fatal) allergic and skin reactions including
Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and Drug
Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) have been
reported in patients on azithromycin therapy. If an allergic reaction
occurs, the drug should be discontinued and appropriate therapy should
be instituted.
-
Hepatotoxicity: Severe, and sometimes fatal, hepatotoxicity has been
reported, Discontinue ZITHROMAX immediately if signs and symptoms of
hepatitis occur.
-
Prolongation of QT interval and cases of torsades de pointes have been
reported. This risk which can be fatal should be considered in
patients with certain cardiovascular disorders including known QT
prolongation or history torsades de pointes, those with proarrhythmic
conditions, and with other drugs that prolong the QT interval.
-
Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: Evaluate patients if
diarrhea occurs.
-
ZITHROMAX may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia
gravis.
-
The most common adverse reactions are diarrhea (5 to 14%), nausea (3
to 18%), abdominal pain (3 to 7%), or vomiting (2 to 7%).
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here for full Prescribing Information.