Research4Life has increased research output by scientists in the developing world

Source: "Developing countries' research output shows big increase," Research Information, 9 July 2009/div>

Comparing published research before (1996 – 2002) and after (2002 - 2008) the advent of the Research4Life programs, the analysis has revealed a 194 per cent or 6.4-fold increase in articles published in peer reviewed journals.

Research4Life is the collective name given to HINARI, AGORA and OARE, the three public-private partnerships that offer health, agriculture and environmental research for free or at very low cost to developing countries.

The analysis, conducted by Elsevier’s associate director of scientometrics & market analysis, Andrew Plume, showed that absolute growth in research between 1996 - 2002 was 25 per cent in non Research4Life countries (countries not eligible due to their GNI per capita), 22 per cent in Band 1 countries (eligible countries with less than $1250 annual per capita income or GNI) and 30 per cent in Band 2 countries (eligible countries with $1251 to $3500 GNI). Five years on, between 2002 - 2008, the same figures are 67 per cent, 145 per cent and 194 per cent respectively indicating 2.6-, 6.5- and 6.4-fold increases over the 1996-2002 growth.