Human filarial nematode parasites are insect vector borne and include Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori, (causative agents of lymphatic filariasis (LF)) and Onchocerca volvulus (causative agent of onchocerciasis (river blindness)). It is estimated that well over 1 billion people are at risk and approximately 150 million people in more than 80 countries are infected with these filarial nematodes. Global international filariasis programs and networks, in conjunction with the WHO, help administer, fund and provide treatment programs covering 800 million people, about 80% of the at risk population. Donations of ivermectin by Merck, albendazole by SmithKline and DEC by Eisai and Merck have made global treatments economically feasible.