Source: Michael Nwangi, 2023

the drugs aren’t working

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, and it’s becoming more resistant to our best treatments. This year, the United Nations is holding a ‘’High-Level Meeting’ (HLM) on the problem of ‘antimicrobial resistance’ (AMR), which is an important opportunity to address the growing challenge of drug-resistant TB.

what

TB is becoming increasingly drug-resistant and hard to treat

who

The UK Government must address the growing threat of drug-resistant TB

how

Ask your MP to urge the Government to act at the UN HLM on antimicrobial resistance

what’s happening?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infectious disease caused by bacteria that affect the lungs, but it can occur in any part of the body. Some forms of TB are resistant to the drugs designed to treat them: this is known as drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), a form of ‘antimicrobial resistance’ (AMR). This year, the UN will hold a HLM on AMR – a vital moment to address the role of DR-TB in the global AMR threat.

AMR hinders the development of effective health systems and slows progress towards achieving universal health coverage. Research and development for novel vaccines and medicines is essential to tackling AMR. A new TB vaccine would be one of the best tools for stopping the spread of DR-TB and reducing AMR, so funding for TB research and development is critical.

key facts about drug-resistant TB and AMR

In 2022 there were around 410,000 cases of drug-resistant TB globally, with only 20% of people accessing treatment. Drug-resistant forms of TB are difficult to treat and require extensive drug treatments with toxic side effects. Early and accurate diagnosis of TB and drug-resistant TB can ensure that treatments are effective.

One-third of all deaths caused by antimicrobial infections are due to DR-TB. This is something that affects all countries, including the UK. AMR is one of the top 10 threats to global public health, resulting in 5 million deaths each year. This number is set to double by 2050, costing the global economy over US $3 trillion and pushing more people into poverty.

A UN High-Level Meeting on TB in September 2023 set out the global targets and commitments for tackling TB from 2023-2027, including a commitment to ensure universal, equitable and affordable access to WHO-recommended diagnostics and drugs to address DR-TB.

how you can make a difference

Governments must address the AMR crisis, and to make this happen, political pressure is needed. World TB Day (24 March) is an opportunity to raise concerns about the impact of drug-resistant TB on the global AMR crisis.

Please write to your MP to inform them about DR-TB and its part in the growing threat of AMR. Ask your MP to write to the Development Minister, Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP, asking the Government to take action at the UN HLM this September.
Invite your MP to attend a World TB Day event in Parliament on 20 March, where they can learn more. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Global TB will be holding a World TB Day reception between 10 am and 12 pm in Parliament, to hear about efforts to eradicate TB around the world. But you can also attend yourself! If you would like to come to the reception, please contact the grassroots team and Vinny Wooding ([email protected]) in advance.

this is what campaigners have already accomplished on TB

For many years, Results grassroots advocates have played a big part in gaining long-term, cross-party support for action to end TB, including alerting politicians to the increasing threat of drug-resistance. We’ve raised this issue at the G7, G20 and the UN, as well as campaigned to raise millions of pounds for the Global Fund to Fight HIV, TB and Malaria.

Results staff and volunteers hand in a petition calling on then PM Theresa May to attend the 2018 High-Level Meeting on TB. Credit: Tom Maguire / Results UK

take action!

Learn about the growing problem of drug-resistant TB

Write to your MP to tell them about TB and its part in the AMR threat

Invite your MP to attend our World TB Day event in Parliament on 20 March

Ask your MP to urge the Government to take action at the UN-HLM on AMR

I took action!

we’re here to support you!

If you have any questions or need support or advice in writing your letter, please reach out – it’s our pleasure to help you establish that relationship with your MP!

You can contact Aurora Basso, Campaigns Coordinator, at [email protected].

glossary

AMR – Antimicrobial resistance

DR-TB – Drug-resistant Tuberculosis

HLM – High Level Meeting. The UN calls these special meetings to increase awareness and action on specific global challenges such as public health threats.

TB – Tuberculosis

UN – United Nations

WHO – World Health Organization

blinded by TB: Louie’s story

“I am Eloisa ‘Louie’ Zepeda Teng. I am 41 years old, a wife and a mother to two children. In 2006, while working as an architect I contracted TB. I initially had six months of drug-sensitive treatment. The medication I was taking had extremely toxic side effects. During the third week of treatment, I lost my vision. It was during this time that the doctors confirmed I had drug-resistant TB and required different treatment. I was then started on drug-resistant treatment which lasted two years. There was a distinct lack of knowledge of drug-resistant strains of TB within the medical community during this time, partly due to a lack of diagnostic tools. This was a difficult time for me and my family.“

Read more about Louie’s experience in this article in The Telegraph.

Screenshot 2024 02 21 At 15.58.30 — Image credit: Douglas Trapp of the University Research Co.