Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)
More Than 35,000 People Die Annually from Bacterial Infections That are Resistant to Antibiotics; Bill Would Create a Global Strategy to Fight “Superbugs”
Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Saving Us from Pandemic Era Resistance by Building a Unified Global Strategy (SUPER BUGS) Act. The bill, H.R. 7879, would help prepare for future pandemics by directing the Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to coordinate a federal strategy for working with foreign countries, multilateral organizations, and other appropriate entities to help develop and commercialize new pandemic products, including antimicrobials. These new antimicrobial products would fight the rapid global spread of pathogens resistant to treatment, which are considered “superbugs.”
Each year in the United States, at least 2.8 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and more than 35,000 of them die from these infections. Antimicrobial drugs are intended for short-term use, making the development of new ones less attractive to drug developers. In December 2018, there were 42 antibiotics in the global clinical pipeline, of which only 11 were being developed to treat superbugs on the World Health Organization (WHO) critical threat list.
“There is scientific consensus on the fact that our world will experience another global pandemic, and the next one is likely to be connected to antimicrobial resistance. It’s not a matter of if it will happen, it’s a matter of when,” said Rep. Levin. “In order to protect Americans and people across the world, we need international cooperation and a global strategy to fight superbugs that have become resistant to modern medicine. Our bill would direct the development of drugs and other products to fight superbugs by entering into partnerships with other countries and multilateral organizations. I thank Rep. Valadao for his partnership on this bill and look forward to it moving through the legislative process quickly.”
“In the Central Valley, we see firsthand the growing threat of superbugs like Valley Fever, which are becoming harder to treat,” said Rep. Valadao. “The bipartisan SUPER BUGS Act strengthens coordination with our international partners to accelerate new treatments and tools to combat drug-resistant pathogens, and I’m proud to partner with Congressman Levin to help prevent the next global pandemic.”
The SUPER BUGS Act would strengthen the United States’ ability to combat antimicrobial resistance and prepare for future pandemics by expanding collaboration with international partners and encouraging parallel investments in the development of antimicrobials and other pandemic countermeasures. The bill’s coordinated strategic approach would aim to ensure equitable contributions among participating entities and consider a range of mechanisms to accelerate development and access, including securing contracts with the private sector, establishing public-private partnerships, implementing alternative payment models, and streamlining regulatory approval processes.
The bill is endorsed by the Partnership for Fighting Infectious Disease, American Society of Microbiology, Global Health Technologies Coalition, American Public Health Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Sepsis Alliance, Treatment Action Group, and IAVI.
“National public health emergencies are a threat to every American. Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance are the root cause, and right now, the nation is unprepared to prevent them. U.S. health care requires a national strategy to get, and stay, ahead of the next pandemic. We applaud the sponsors for introducing the SUPER BUGS Act and for their commitment to addressing these very serious health and national security concerns,” said Candace DeMatteis, Vice President, Policy & Advocacy, Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID).
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