Cipla, Wockhardt join global initiative on tackling drug resistant infections

Spread of drug-resistant infections could hit the global economy even harder than the the 2008 financial crisis

Thirteen top pharmaceutical companies including Cipla and Wockhardt from India have formed an industry initiative on tackling drug resistant infections.

The issue has been cause of concern amongst governments, policy makers and health activists and is being discussed at the United Nations General Assembly. A Bloomberg report quoting the World Bank said the spread of drug-resistant infections could mean a hit to the global economy even greater than that of the 2008 financial crisis as the emergence of so-called superbugs threatens growth in low-income countries.

Ahead of the meeting, thirteen companies have declared a roadmap on combating antimicrobial or antibiotic resistance. The companies said they are committed to reduce environmental impact in antibiotic production, monitor the usage of antibiotics, improve access and explore collaboratation opportunities in research and development of new antibiotics, vaccines and diagnostics.

"We are committed to working to reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance, improve access to high-quality antibiotics, vaccines, and diagnostics, invest in R&D, and collaborate with governments and stakeholders to sustain those investments," the companies said in a joint statement today.

Other companies participating in the initiative include Allergan, AstraZeneca, DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals, Roche, GSK Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi and Shionogi.