Comment on Our Drug Resistance Consultation Report

December 1, 2009

We’ve brought up the topic of drug resistance many times on this blog because we think it’s an important issue that doesn’t get enough attention. Resistance plagues the ability to successfully treat diseases in both rich and poor countries and the problem continues to grow every day. More advanced drugs that treat resistant forms of diseases cost vastly more than first-line drugs, and the cure rate is lower. Experts in drug development and disease treatment are very concerned about this problem, but those concerns have not been taken up by those who make the big decisions on global health. It’s past time they were.

An expert working group convened by CGD has carefully examined global drug resistance and the policy context for responding to it. We are now sharing our preliminary conclusions and recommendations. Last week we released our consultation draft report and we hope you will take a look at it and provide your feedback. The report describes the extent of the problem, evaluates the current global response, and outlines recommendations for curbing resistance. We will use your comments, suggestions, and ideas to shape a final report on Global Drug Resistance Policy to be published in spring 2010.

We welcome your thoughts and hope that you will visit our website for more information.

And for those of you interested in the frightening link between animal use of antibiotics and drug resistance in humans, there is a briefing on Capitol Hill this Wednesday sponsored by Extending the Cure.

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