Washington Post: Letters to the Editor: We need to put more money toward tuberculosis research

Mel Spigelman, physician, president, and chief executive of TB Alliance

“As the World Health Organization has pointed out, drug-resistant tuberculosis infections are on the rise. And yet, funding for TB research and development of the tools we need, including new drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines, is woefully inadequate … [The] lack of significant progress against an ancient and curable disease is alarming. TB treatments, especially against drug-resistant strains, must be simpler, shorter, more effective, safer, and affordable. This goal is readily achievable so TB therapy can play its role in the elimination of the disease. However, this can be done only with a substantially greater degree of funding” (9/21).

Colin Smith, director of communications at RESULTS

“…Both the House and Senate have called for an increase in global TB funding. When they pick up budget negotiations again in December, they should go with the higher House number, which would boost next year’s TB budget by $41 million. Tuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable. The world may be full of intractable problems, but this doesn’t need to be one of them” (9/21).