When individual countries try to purchase low-demand, specialty medicines – such as MDR-TB medicines – they are often unable to obtain consistent, affordable supplies. This leaves them vulnerable to price shocks, such as the recent hike in the price of MDR-TB drug Cycloserine. The Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility, however, is able to pool demand, […]
Lord Kilpatrick of Kincraig, TB Alert Patron – Obituary
TB Alert is saddened by the passing of our Patron, Lord (Robert) Kilpatrick of Kincraig, who has died in Edinburgh at the age of 89. Lord Kilpatrick’s support for TB Alert was seeded in Edinburgh, where he was successfully treated for tuberculosis under the care of TB Alert’s founder and Honorary President, Sir John Crofton. […]
Drug-price hikes don’t lead to better cures
Raising the price of out of patent drugs does not pay for new drug innovation, argues Médecins Sans Frontières’ Philipp du Cros in The Guardian, following controversy after the price of an anti-TB drug was increased 5000-fold. Cycloserine, which is used to treat multi-drug resistant TB, is one of two drugs that raised a furore this week […]
Urgent action on smoking needed to address TB and HIV
A new study calls for urgent action to integrate anti-smoking strategies into the care of people being treated for tuberculosis and HIV. The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) released a report recently arguing that second-hand smoke must be addressed in the treatment of patients with TB and HIV. The research identifies a […]
New factsheet examines TB/Hepatitis C links
The Hepatitis C Coalition has launched a new factsheet on TB and hepatitis C – which includes expert input from TB Alert. TB and hepatitis C have many similarities: they are closely linked to health inequalities and experience similar challenges in ensuring access to services and infection control. By understanding both diseases, and the interlinkages […]
The race is on to eliminate TB by 2030
As the Millennium Development Goals draw to a close, the United Nations is defining the post-2015 development agenda with new targets for 2030 – including eliminating TB. In the 15 years that followed the launch of the MDGs, there have been muted successes in addressing TB: TB incidence fell in all regions, by an average […]
Writing with authority on TB
The prestigious International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) appoints TB Alert’s Secretary, Professor Peter Davies, as Editor in Chief for Tuberculosis. In his first editorial piece, in the August 2015 edition, Professor Davies reflects on the continued burden of tuberculosis, despite the Millennium Development Goal commitment to eradicate HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. He […]
Homerton TB Team win 2015 Bevan Prize for Health and Wellbeing
Homerton University Hospital’s TB Team have been awarded the UK-wide 2015 Bevan Prize at an event in Westminster. This follows hot on the heels of their success in the TB Alert’s Sir John Crofton Prize for TB Nursing. The Bevan Foundation’s annual prize, which is sponsored by UNISON, The Open University and the Aneurin Bevan Society, is […]
Multi-drug resistant TB passed on less than drug-susceptible TB, study shows
A study published this week in PLOS Medicine has found that some strains of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) may have a lower fitness (be less capable of spreading) than drug-susceptible tuberculosis bacteria. The study, conducted by Louis Grandjean of Imperial College London, and colleagues, compared new tuberculosis cases among household contacts of tuberculosis patients in […]
Oxford Immunotec brave the elements for TB Alert
Thank you and congratulations to all the Oxford Immunotec triathletes who took part in the Blenheim Palace Triathlon, to raise a fantastic £369 – and counting – for TB Alert. Fuelled by scotch eggs and sausage rolls, the Oxford Immunotec teams smashed their record for overall team time: with Team A placing a proud 21st […]