The U.S. government can — and must — fund research into new antibiotics

To the editor: Can the government encourage the development of new antibiotics? Not only can the government do so; it must. (“Can the government encourage the development of new antibiotics?” July 11)

As an infectious diseases physician, I see too many patients dying from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A purely market-based approach can no longer deliver the goods, as pharmaceutical companies develop more profitable drugs instead of antibiotics. If the government fails to offer appropriate incentives, the new antibiotics our patients need will not be brought to market.

Tax credits targeted to antibiotics that would address unmet medical needs — such as those proposed in the Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation Act by Reps. Charles Boustany (R-La.) and Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) — would have a critical impact.

Antibiotic-resistant infections cost our health care system more than $20 billion annually; this is money that could be saved if we had new, safe and effective antibiotics. Inaction is not an option.

Henry Chambers, MD, San Francisco

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