01.02.2026
Prof. Achim Hoerauf has been elected as a member of the The Mectizan Expert Committee/Albendazole Coordination (MEC/AC)
In recognition of his long-standing scientific contributions to the fields of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, Professor Achim Hoerauf ( Director IMMIP and Speaker of the DNTDs) has been elected as a member of the Mectizan Expert Committee/Albendazole Coordination (MEC/AC). The MEC/AC provides independent scientific and strategic guidance to the Mectizan Donation Program (MDP), supporting evidence-based decision-making for drug donation, program implementation, and disease elimination efforts.
The Mectizan® Donation Program (MDP) is one of the most successful public–private health partnerships in global health. Launched in 1987 by Merck & Co., it provides ivermectin (Mectizan®) free of charge for as long as needed to control and eliminate onchocerciasis (river blindness) and, later, lymphatic filariasis in endemic countries. Implemented in close collaboration with the WHO, national ministries of health, NGOs, and community-based programs, MDP pioneered large-scale community-directed treatment approaches. The program has enabled the treatment of hundreds of millions of people annually across Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. It has played a decisive role in interrupting transmission and achieving elimination of onchocerciasis in several countries and regions. Beyond filarial diseases, ivermectin has also contributed to control efforts against scabies and other neglected tropical diseases. The MDP is widely regarded as a model for sustainable drug donation programs, demonstrating how long-term commitment, strong partnerships, and community engagement can achieve lasting public health impact.
The MEC/AC also serves as a coordination body for the donation of albendazole by GSK in countries where river blindness is co-endemic and in countries eligible for IDA. The MEC/AC s Albendazole Coordination (AC) efforts ensure that the donations of Mectizan and albendazole are coordinated to combat LF effectively. The MEC/AC provides scientific, medical, and technical oversight of the donation of Mectizan to ensure it is used with good medical practice and to ensure the donation is stewarded effectively.
