BD outlines commitment to combating drug resistance

BD has outlined the measures it is taking to help combat the growing problem of drug resistance in global healthcare.

The company has welcomed the recent efforts by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness of the issue on World Health Day 2011, describing the emergence of a new breed of highly resistant microorganisms as "unsettling".

To address the problem, BD is serving as a strategic partner to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology to support various educational schemes in the area of infection prevention.

It is also working with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics to ensure that effective tuberculosis diagnostic products are provided to poorer regions, preventing drug resistance from developing as a result of inappropriate treatment.

Vincent Forlenza, BD's president and chief operating officer, said: "We commend the WHO for taking the lead in raising awareness of this important issue on World Health Day and stand ready to apply our technologies and expertise to help address it."

Last month, the company marked World TB Day by launching an online campaign to raise money for its programme of tuberculosis diagnostic tool donations.