Abstract
The emergence of a new dimension of consciousness after the COVID-19 pandemic might provide an opportunity to highlight gaps and inequalities in health research investment and to mobilize scientific and public opinion to change the way things are done. This analysis considers some lessons learned from the pandemic crisis concerning the priority of global health research, research in prevention and well-being, and international research cooperation. The question raised by these issues concerns the unfairness of health research funding, mainly dominated by the pharmaceutical and device industries. However, evidence shows that these companies shifted funding to late-phase clinical trials and away from innovation activity and global health priorities. On the other hand, public institutions continue to invest in basic science, with the majority of funds still focused on basic research and innovation. This direct relationship between industry and biomedical research disrupts the reliability of findings and biases the evidence. Several initiatives and efforts are shaping pathways towards health research independence from industry funding. We can propose the idea of industry funding without a direct relationship with researchers through a common pot managed by an independent international agency. Nevertheless, to promote publicly funded research, the scientific community must strengthen its position compared to industry-funded research through transparency and the scientific value of publications.
Highlights
Despite the difficult times during the COVID-19 crisis, people have hope and believe in the post-pandemic new world
What lessons can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic for health research? 1
Chakra et al reported in 2014 a global mapping of these funds according to regions and sources; in 2012, the total amount spent on biomedical research and development (R&D) reached 268.4 billion US dollars, with an approximately 10.0% growth rate each year from 2007 to 2012 [8]
Summary
Despite the difficult times during the COVID-19 crisis, people have hope and believe in the post-pandemic new world. This is another window of opportunity to highlight the crucial need for cross-border international scientific collaboration to develop global health solutions It is time for researchers and policymakers to step forward to support global open access and the ongoing sharing of scientific information [8] and create a global space for more creativity and innovative ideas worldwide. Companies and other stakeholders (government, charitable organizations) would contribute to a common pot managed by an independent international agency This agency would launch proposals for research projects to which re-searchers could respond to funding requests for projects developed by researchers worldwide. For the impact factor that considers the average number of times that a journal is mentioned in recent articles published in a given year, we can propose the inclusion of only independent publications: ▪ Exclude industry-sponsored trials from systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Abbreviation COVID-19: Coronavirus; R&D: Research and Development; USA: United States of America; BJM: British Medical Journal; AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
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