New partnership to improve access to antibiotics aimed at combating Tuberculosis and AMR

By Hamu Madzedze

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) have teamed up with the Stop TB Partnership's Global Drug Facility (GDF) in a bid to improve global access to antibiotics.

GDF will incorporate GARDP's portfolio of antibiotic access for the benefit of patients and health systems ,particularly in low -and middle- income countries.

The Executive Director of GARDP Manica Balasegaram said this partnership is a major step towards placing equity at the heart of the International response to Antimicrobial Resistance(AMR).

"By positioning AMR like Tuberculosis as a public health issue which needs to be prioritised we can build an ecosystem for appropriate access to antibiotics for patients around the world" said Balasegaram.

Balasegaram added that this partnership between GARDP and GDF reflects the increasing need to respond to the crisis of antimicrobial resistance through global coordination since TB like any other bacteria can evolve to develop resistance to available treatments making those treatments less effective in the population at large.

Meanwhile Stop TB Partnership Executive Director Lucica Ditiu said they are delighted to show how investments in tools and platforms aimed at ending TB can be essential in supporting the AMR efforts.

"By leveraging GDF's network to distribute GARDP's innovative antibiotics ,we are enhancing access and ensuring that effective treatments reach those in dire need.

The Chief of the Global Drug Facility Brenda Waning pointed out that adapting GDF's existing set of tailored systems and tools to address AMR is a cost-effective means towards improving the lives of millions of people.

"We are stronger by working together on all parts of the product life cycle ,leveraging strengths across GARDP and GDF"said Waning.

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) is a non-profit organisation that places public health needs at the centre of antibiotic drug development to address the immediate crisis of antimicrobial resistance(AMR) and the mission of Stop TB's Global is to facilitate worldwide ,equitable and timely access to TB medicines,diagnostics and devices.