What's different about the scheme is that it uses long-term financial commitments to front-load resources for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization. This means funds will be available now, controversially borrowed on the financial markets against guaranteed future funding. "In years to come, we will end up using aid money to pay off the interest to financiers rather than helping the poor," said Peter Hardstaff, head of policy at the World Development Movement.

Sarah Houlton, PhD, is Pharmaceutical Executive's global correspondent. She can be reached at sarah@owlmedia.co.uk