Philanthropy is not enough to combat TB

Efforts by philanthropists alone is not enough to combat tuberculosis worldwide, and a “quantum leap” in donor funding, particularly from governments, is required, according to health experts at a Medecins Sans Frontieres meeting in New York City recently.

The Director of MSF’s Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines, said about $200 million annually is spent on developing new TB drugs, diagnostics and vaccines, but at least $900 million annually is needed.

The Executive Director of the Treatment Action Group, said, “Governments need to step up to plate and take their primary responsibility,” adding, While the American government funds 47 per cent of the world’s TB research, India contributes more than any European country.

Analyses of studies from 1950 through early 2006 that examined the link between tobacco smoke and indoor pollution and TB infection, disease and mortality involved people with TB or who were vulnerable to TB transmission. “Since tobacco smoking has increased in developing countries where TB is prevalent, a considerable portion of the global burden of TB may be attributed to tobacco,” noted Megan Murray, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at HSPH and coauthor of the study.