[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING GLAXOSMITHKLINE FOR ITS EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE LYMPHATIC 
                               FILARIASIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 2002

  Mr. FATTAH. I rise today to mark an historic milestone on the road to 
the elimination of a devastating disease of the developing world, 
lymphatic filariasis.
  The global eradication of a disease has been accomplished only once 
in history, with the elimination of naturally occurring smallpox. 
Public health officials are eager to replicate that success. Yet 
despite the huge advances in our understanding of diseases and their 
mechanisms, international experts believe that there are still very few 
major diseases that can be deemed eradicable by existing technology. 
The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently targeting seven 
diseases or disorders for elimination or eradication. They are: Guinea 
worm (dracunculiasis), polio, leprosy, neonatal tetanus, Chagas 
disease, iodine deficiency disorders, and lymphatic filariasis. Today, 
I rise to focus on the parasitic disease lymphatic filariasis, or LF.
  LF is an ancient scourge that has disabled and disfigured people for 
thousands of years. Transmitted by mosquitoes, LF is caused by thread-
like worms that infect the human lymphatic system, leading to permanent 
damage to the lymphatic and renal systems. LF gives rise to a condition 
known as elephantiasis which leads to the development of grotesque, 
chronic swelling of the legs, genitals and breasts, leading to lifelong 
social and physical disabilities. LF is mostly found in the tropical 
developing world, where it further exacerbates poverty by physically 
incapacitating people during what should be the most productive years 
of their lives. Lost productivity caused by the disease costs billions 
of dollars across the world each year. LF also puts a tremendous strain 
on healthcare systems in the developing world. In addition to its 
economic impact, LF inflicts heavy psycho-social consequences on the 
individuals who are affected. LF affects around 120 million people, 
with more than one billion people at risk of infection.
  In 1998, the WHO and the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 
announced a worldwide collaboration to fight LF. This partnership has 
now become a global alliance of 35 private and public institutions 
along with the Ministries of Health in LF endemic countries, all 
committed to eliminating lymphatic filariasis.
  GlaxoSmithKline has its US headquarters in my district in 
Philadelphia, and over 6,000 Pennsylvanians work for GSK in the search 
for cures and treatments to disease. GSK makes an anti-parasitic drug 
called albendazole that is useful in the fight against LF. GSK has 
committed to donating as many tablets as needed to eliminate lymphatic 
filariasis. The World Health Organization estimates that GSK will 
donate up to six billion doses of albendazole before the program is 
complete, making the GSK albendazole donation program the largest 
pharmaceutical donation in history.
  Today, I am proud to announce that GlaxoSmithKline has produced the 
one hundred-millionth donated tablet of albendazole for the Lymphatic 
Filariasis Elimination Program. This is a milestone achievement in a 
long road, and I commend GlaxoSmithKline for its commitment to world 
health. Whether it's in improving access to needed health services, 
providing affordable vaccines and HIV treatments, or dedicating 
resources to worthy projects in Pennsylvania, GlaxoSmithKline has shown 
time and time again its dedication to improving lives locally and 
globally. I commend GlaxoSmithKline for its success to date in the 
Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program, and I wish GSK, the World 
Health Organization and the rest of their partners every success in the 
completion of their task.

                          ____________________