Synthesis of Promin in Japan and Global Elimination of Hansen's Disease

Abstract

Prof. Morizo Ishidate synthesized "Promin" for the treatment of leprosy/Hansen's disease which had been considered "incurable" until the discovery of antileprosy effect of that drug by Dr. Faget of U.S.A. in 1941. Prof. Ishidate was the first to synthesize the drug in Japan in 1946 based on a brief news item on a Swiss journal smuggled in during the War. For this achievement, he is known as "father of chemotherapy for leprosy in Japan." Prof. Ishidate also contributed to the global fight against leprosy as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, which he helped to establish in May 1974, with a full financial backing of Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa, President of Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation. Prof. Ishidate, with his scientific knowledge as well as christianity based humanitarian concern, advised Mr. Sasakawa how to spend JSIF money wisely for eliminating leprosy and nearly US$200 million was channeled through WHO and SMHF. The successful outcome of global multidrug therapy (MDT) programme in the' 80s resulted in the adoptation of resolution by the World Health Assembly, "Elimination of Leprosy, as a public health problem" by the Year 2000. The synthesis of "Promin" in Japan and promoting the global implementation of MDT, both achievement can be attributed to Prof. Ishidate.