Allison E. Aiello ^1*, Nicholas B. King ², B. Foxman ¹

¹ University of Michigan
² Case Western Reserve University

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: aielloa{at}umich.edu.

	Abstract

Since the 1960s, scientists and pharmaceutical representatives have called for the advancement and development of new antimicrobial drugs to combat infectious diseases. In January 2005, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), MD, introduced a biopreparedness bill that included provisions for patent extensions and tax incentives to stimulate industry research on new antimicrobials.

Although government stimulus for private development of new antimicrobials is important, it does not resolve long-standing conflicts of interest between private entities and society. Rising rates of antimicrobial resistance have only exacerbated these conflicts. We used methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a case study for reviewing these problems, and we have suggested alternative approaches that may halt the vicious cycle of resistance and obsolescence generated by the current model of antimicrobial production.

Key Words: Community Health, Ethics, Health Financing, Health Policy, Health Service Delivery, Infections

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. H. Eiland III and D. Gatlin Forecast of Antibiotic Development in an Era of Increasing Bacterial Resistance Journal of Pharmacy Practice, October 1, 2008; 21(5): 313 - 318. [Abstract] [PDF]

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