June 14, 2013
A roundup of news on drug resistance and other topics in global health.
An article in Asian Scientist on the Viet Nam Resistance Project (VINARES) quotes a situation analysis report on Vietnam prepared by the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP), a CDDEP project to develop actionable policy proposals on antibiotic resistance for low- and middle-income countries. [Asian Scientist]
New research in The Lancet finds that gonorrhea s resistance to cefixime, a generic, first-line drug to treat the disease, declined from 17.1% in 2010 to 10.8% in 2011 in the UK. The research suggests that changes in prescribing patterns following the country’s new gonorrhea treatment guidelines could have played a significant role in the decline. [Bloomberg]
An article in CNN argues for a streamlined but targeted approach that speeds regulatory approval of new antibiotics- and limits their use to the sickest of the sick. [CNN]
The World Health Organization recently issued an interim guidance on the inclusion of bedaquiline, a new tuberculosis drug with a novel mechanism of action, in the combination therapy of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). [WHO]
The BBC reports on the development of a skin patch that can deliver vaccines cheaply, effectively and more safely. [BBC]
The European Union and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will collaborate to develop treatments for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other poverty-related diseases. [EurActiv]
The Atlantic discusses the increasing challenge of fake malaria drugs, mainly originating from China, in Africa. [The Atlantic]
The Lancet s recent issue focuses exclusively on HIV and features articles suggesting a new therapeutic option and the possibility of finding a cure for HIV, amongst others. [The Lancet]
Funding problems and poverty could reverse the progress Madagascar has made in the battle against malaria. [IRIN News]
According to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health, only 5% of 3,749 people observed in the study fulfilled proper hand washing requirements. [The Atlantic]
Representatives at a meeting of the science academies of the G8+5 group of countries called for more research and monitoring on rising drug resistance. [SciDev]
Image via Zoriah/Flickr
