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.
Disclaimer
CGD blog posts reflect the views of the authors, drawing on prior research and experience in their areas of expertise. CGD is a nonpartisan, independent organization and does not take institutional positions.
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Update (December 6): This week, members of the health community are gathering at the third annual mHealth Summit in Washington, D.C., to explore ways to advance mobile technologies for health. The summit will focus on the business and policy perspectives of mHealth, aiming to identify sustainable business models to support mHealth around the globe. Below, Amanda Glassman and Vicky Hausman highlight key actions major global health donors should take to help realize the potential of mHealth and move to scalable and sustainable integration of mobile into healthcare delivery.
This blog is co-authored with Vicky Hausman, Dalberg Global Development Advisors.
These days it seems like everyone is going mobile. The idea of using mobile phones to deliver health care products, treatments and services has captured the imaginations of everyone from academic experts, government officials and funders of aid to technology companies, innovators and entrepreneurs. There is no shortage of conferences, webinars or tweets on the topic, nor is there a lack of innovative applications and technology.
But what is the reality? Has mHealth really begun to transform health systems?
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-CA) and his staff are worried about something, and it’s not
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