We Must Stop Tuberculosis in its Tracks
In his most recent column in Forbes.com, Lilly Chairman and CEO John Lechleiter, Ph.D., calls for urgent action to fight tuberculosis as drug-resistant strains of the disease pose an increasingly serious global health threat. John references news that South Africa has become the fourth country – after India, Iran and Italy – to register strains of TB that are resistant to at least 10 of the 15 drugs used to treat this deadly airborne disease.
As we mark World TB Day on Sunday, March 24, John explains that with resistance spreading, we need a renewed global commitment from public and private sectors to defeat TB. According to the World Health Organization, more than eight million people became infected with TB and 1.4 million died in 2011 – that’s about the entire population of Greater Indianapolis, the city where John lives.
Yet, John notes there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. New innovations are being developed and new partnership models like the one started by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are working to make these resources available in low- and middle-income countries.
Read more about Lilly's own MDR-TB Partnership and the fight against TB
