R&D Best Buys| Category | Key R&D investments |
| Maternal and child health |
| Strategic research | Understand the relative importance, in different environments, of increased nutrient intake and of control of infectious disease as a way to reduce malnutrition |
| Package development and evaluation | Evaluate and refine the package for the integrated management of the sick childSFTRETDevelop, evaluate, and refine the mother-baby package for pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal careSFTRETEvaluate the implementation of a range of family planning packages offering a wide choice of methods |
| New tools to improve package content | Evaluate the efficacy and optimal dosage of candidate rotavirus vaccines in low-income countriesSFTRETEvaluate the efficacy of optimal dosage of candidate conjugate pneumococcal vaccines and the effectiveness of existing vaccine against influenza B in low-income countriesSFTRETDevelop and evaluate ways to increase efficiency in the Expanded Program on Immunizations by simplifying delivery and maximizing use of opportunities for immunizationSFTRETEvaluate the promotion of insecticide-impregnated bednets for inclusion in a future healthy household packageSFTRETDevelop new contraceptive methods, particularly to widen the choice of long-term but reversible methods, postcoital methods for regular and emergency use, and methods for men |
| Microbial threats |
| Strategic research | Screen drugs on molecular targets predicted by the genome sequence of major pathogensSFTRETInvestigate influences on the spread of antimicrobial resistance and approaches to monitoring resistant strains with the aim of identifying ways of slowing their emergence |
| Intervention development | Develop an effective prophylaxis for TB—for example, depot (or long-acting), or a vaccine chemoprophylaxisSFTRETDevelop a malaria vaccineSFTRETDevelop an HIV vaccineSFTRETDevelop improved methods for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, including vaginal microbicides |
| Noncommunicable diseases and injuries | Establish a special program for research and training on noncommunicable diseases and healthy agingSFTRETEstablish a special program or initiative for research, training, and capacity building on injuries |
| Health policy | Establish a special program for research and training on health systems and policy |
Source: Ad Hoc Committee on Health Research Relating to Future Intervention Options 1996.
