The Leprosy Mission
Drug distribution for Leprosy, MDT, in Nigeria

Facilitating the provision of medicines for leprosy

Multidrug therapy (MDT), a combination of three medicines (dapsone, clofazimine and rifampicin) has been the cornerstone of leprosy treatment since the 1980s.

WHO has facilitated the provision of MDT medicines worldwide and free-of-charge through a donation financed by The Nippon Foundation (from 1995 to 1999) and since year 2000 onwards by Novartis.

More than 16 million leprosy patients have been successfully treated with MDT.

Treatment of Leprosy

Annual Request for the supply of free anti-leprosy medicines

Impact

Global Strategy

Global Leprosy Strategy 2021‒2030, towards zero leprosy

16 Million

Patients treated over the past 20 years

Press release

More than 180,000

New cases diagnosed in 2023

Read the update

WHO Teams

Relevant publications

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Integrated approach to management of skin-related neglected tropical diseases and common skin conditions

A practical handbook for health-care workers

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Global leprosy (‎Hansen disease)‎ update, 2024: Beyond zero cases – what elimination of leprosy really means

The Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030,1 which is aligned with the Neglected tropical diseases road map 2021–2030,2 brings into focus the new...

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Skin health for all: update on skin neglected tropical diseases with a focus on Buruli ulcer and yaws

Skin diseases in general are the third most prevalent cause of illness, with almost 5 billion incident cases of skin and subcutaneous diseases, and...

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