The World Health Organization reaffirms the critical need for research and development (R&D) of new antibiotics to tackle the threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). Addressing drug-resistant TB research is a top priority for WHO and for the world, said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. More than US$ 800 million per year is currently necessary to fund badly needed research into new antibiotics to treat TB.
A World Health Organization and World Bank Group report shows that 400 million people do not have access to essential health services and 6% of people in low- and middle-income countries are tipped into or pushed further into extreme poverty because of health spending.