Representative Albio Sires (D-NJ) introduced the “21st Century Global Health Technology Act” (H.R. 2144) to enable USAID to develop technologies for global health. The legislation would encourage public-private partnerships as a way to leverage federal government resources with private-sector investments in order to create the next generation of lifesaving drugs, vaccines, and devices.
The legislation provides for USAID to establish a health technologies program capable of developing, advancing, and introducing affordable, and appropriate and primarily late-state technologies.
The health technology program would improve the health and nutrition in developing countries, reduce maternal, newborn, and child mortality worldwide, and improve the diagnosis and prevention of diseases especially HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases.
The legislation requires USAID’s annual reports to Congress to have information on the use of research funds, collaborations with federal departments and agencies how these joint ventures and investments complement their work, investments made in science, technology, and innovations, and any information on the technologies and available research products that are undergoing field trials or are currently being used.
