This section describes the data classification standards used by the Global Observatory on Health R&D as a step towards catalysing and promoting increased uniformity in collecting and sharing R&D data.

Use of standard classifications and terminologies is important for maintaining consistency across analyses and, more importantly, for allowing the aggregation of the same type of data from various sources (e.g. in the analysis of products in the pipeline) and exploring different types of R&D data together (e.g. R&D funding data and burden of disease).

The classifications used by the Observatory for its analyses are described below. Reference is also made to relevant WHO classifications and standards.

• Health categories
• Phase of development of health products
• Country groupings

• List of relevant International classifications