GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has proposed the idea of a Least Developed Country (LDC) patent pool for medicines for tropical diseases, one of four commitments the company has made to improving public health.

Andrew Witty, chief executive of GSK, the world’s second largest pharmaceutical company, proposed the idea during a speech, “Big Pharma a Catalyst for Change”, at Harvard Medical School.

He said GSK would be more flexible over intellectual property in the LDCs, allowing others to access relevant small molecule compounds and process patents, and encouraging participation in the voluntary scheme.

“The challenge of improving global health is huge, and requires a step-change from pharmaceutical companies,” he said during the speech.

He also set out a promise to reduce the price of patented medicines in LDCs so that they will be no higher than 25% of the cost in the developed world, assuming GSK can cover the cost of the goods. They will also aim to reduce prices in middle income countries.

Thirdly, Witty announced that GSK will invest 20% of profits made in LDCs in infrastructure projects in those countries. Witty’s fourth commitment was to GSK’s plan to open up its research facility in Spain to partners in governments, foundations and other companies.

“This is a big step,” said Rohit Malpani, spokesperson for Oxfam’s access to medicines campaign. “Big pharma seems to be realizing slowly that poor people in developing countries face huge and different barriers to good health”.

To read a summary of Witty’s speech please click here.