Tell global decision makers why we need new drugs
to fight Tuberculosis
Start by signing our call for action to register your support for
the development of faster, more effective anti-tuberculosis
medicines affordable worldwide.
We, the undersigned, urge the world's leaders to reinvigorate
the fight against tuberculosis and to invest in better tools against
the disease. Besides better diagnostics and an effective vaccine
for tuberculosis, the world needs a faster TB cure that is
affordable in developing countries by 2010.
Tuberculosis is the biggest comeback infectious disease in history. Today someone dies from TB every fifteen seconds. One-third of the world is infected, yet more than two-thirds of TB patients do not receive full and proper treatment. You can help change this reality.
Why aren't more patients treated? A major reason is that existing drugs simply take too long to complete — nine months or more. TB attacks people in their most productive years, and people often stop working. TB is the number one killer of AIDS patients and women during child-bearing years. A shorter, simpler TB treatment would save millions of lives, yield savings in healthcare expenses, and enable patients to lead productive lives.
It's time for a faster TB cure that represents the best of today's technology and scientific minds. With the last new drug introduced 40 years ago, lethal drug-resistant strains are on the rise. There is no reason why we can not develop new, better and faster drugs. There are too many lives on the line. We, the world, deserve better.
We call for innovative approaches and support the work of the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development to develop new, fast acting TB drugs that will be affordable in endemic countries.
New drugs will improve the control of the epidemic, help healthcare workers reach more patients, secure the promise of the international treatment standard, DOTS (Daily Observed Treatment short-course) and reduce healthcare expenses by up to 65%.
New drugs are our great hope against the rising threat of tuberculosis. It is time to find a new cure for better epidemic control and to advance global health equity.
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