Developing ANDI: a novel approach to health product R&D in Africa

According to this article, there is an urgent need for African-led health research and development (R&D) innovation, as well as access to it. However, successful implementation of such a novel approach requires sustainable capacity, infrastructure, funding, leadership, and an understanding of the status of health R&D in the African continent.

Based on this argument, the authors suggest a way forward with the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI). As part of the development of the ANDI, the study analysed biomedical research output and collaborative research undertaken across the continent by evaluating peer-reviewed articles published between 2004 and 2008, as well as other innovation indicators, such as R&D investments and manufacturing capacity.

Key findings include:

• significant health R&D capacity exists in different parts of Africa, but this capacity is fragmented, uncoordinated, and not properly utilised to address African health problems.
  
• most biomedical collaborations of African institutions are with institutions in Europe and the United States rather than with other African institutions.
  
• this lack of intracontinental collaboration, combined with low levels of investment, contributes to gaps in the continental research agenda, a lack of local ownership of research undertaken on the continent, and suboptimal utilisation of available research capability.