The snakebite problem and antivenom crisis from a health-economic perspective

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Health Economics
• Neglected Tropical Diseases

Background:

• Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a significant health issue in low and middle-income countries, largely ignored by the global health community.
• Economic factors play a critical role in the SBE crisis, perpetuating shortages of essential antivenom treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the pervasive health-economic factors contributing to the SBE crisis.
• To underscore the need for cost-effective and financially sustainable strategies to address SBE.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of health-economic factors influencing SBE.
• Review of antivenom market failures and their economic drivers.

Main Results:

• Financial and commercial factors cause and perpetuate antivenom shortages, limiting access to treatment.
• SBE disproportionately affects impoverished, rural communities, causing significant financial burdens and impacting productivity.
• Underinvestment in health systems has led to market failures in antivenom production and distribution.

Conclusions:

• Effective SBE management requires addressing its economic underpinnings.
• Advocates must prioritize cost-effective and sustainable strategies to combat the economic causes and consequences of SBE.