Nowadays, there is a lack of effective, safe and affordable pharmaceuticals to control infectious diseases that cause high mortality among the poorer people of the world. The international pharmaceutical industry argues that research and development is too costly and risky to invest in such low return “non-profitable†Neglected Diseases as they are called. The search for new drugs for neglected diseases requires new strategies of R&D investments, these being established in new paradigms of public policies, which contemplates social questions and not just market value and provide for a continual search for viable alternatives for the treatment of these diseases. This search should not be limited only to the examination of new molecules as new effective pharmacological targets, but also take in account the use of medicinal plants and phytopharmaceuticals, which can offer equally effective tools for improving the quality of life of these underprivileged populations.
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