Scope of the Global Observatory on Health R&D

The primary scope of the Observatory as outlined by Member States in World Health Assembly resolution WHA69.23 is:

• type II and type III diseases (i.e. diseases incident in both rich and poor countries, but with a substantial proportion of the cases in poor countries, and diseases that are overwhelmingly or exclusively incident in developing countries respectively);
• the specific R&D needs of developing countries in relation to type I diseases (i.e. diseases incident in both rich and poor countries, with large numbers of vulnerable populations in each);
• potential areas where market failures exist;
• antimicrobial resistance and on emerging infectious diseases likely to cause major epidemics.

Since its launch, the Observatory has been expanding its scope to span all diseases and all types of health research and product development. Through its regular updates, the Observatory is expanding to cover more diseases and research areas.

The Observatory adheres to a broad definition of health R&D, including all types of research for health (for more information, see the WHO strategy on research for health).