First 2022 GaBI Journal issue highlights

The first GaBI Journal issue of 2022 comes at a time of both hope and despair. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause significant global morbidity and mortality; especially in resource-poor countries, both the pace and direction of changes are beginning to produce some encouraging signs. Positive trends are in part the result of the continuing increase in our understanding of the virus itself, its treatment, and public health actions that are effective in limiting its spread. The availability of highly effective vaccines, antibodies, and antiviral medications have greatly limited infections and improved outcomes. Biological products, both innovator and biosimilar versions, as well as generic drug products are decreasing treatment costs and increasing the availability of effective treatments. Of special note is the increasing ability of resource-poor nations to produce their own versions of innovator products without patent constraints. Perhaps the most impressive example of this is, ‘The World’s COVID-19 ­Vaccine’ developed by the Texas Children’s Hospital at Baylor University and funding support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This partnership has demonstrated that it is possible to overcome availability issues inherent in the for-profit pharmaceutical industry.