Congressmen introduce bill to address antibiotic resistance

New bipartisan legislation, the Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation Act, which aims to combat the issue of antibiotic resistance, has been introduced into Congress, according to a press release.

“We have seen too many cases where families receive the devastating news that their loved one has a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotics. We have heard from physicians warning us about the critical shortage of antibiotics and the further need to improve diagnostic tests so they can better diagnose and treat these infections. This is why we are coming together today with legislation to reignite research and development for new antibiotics and diagnostic tests,” the bill’s co-author, Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, said in a press release.

The Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation Act (READI) would offer a 50% tax credit for research expenses from phase 2 and 3 clinical research for new antibiotics that treat severe or life-threatening infections, according to the release.

Additionally, tax incentives will also be provided for the development of rapid ID diagnostic tests that would provide results in 4 hours or fewer, according to the release.

Shortly after the bill was introduced, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) released a statement showing support for the bill.

“Importantly, this is the first antibiotic research and development bill that also includes an incentive for rapid diagnostics [research and development]. Rapid tests are essential for providing physicians critically needed information to guide the choice of antibiotics early in the course of illness and limiting the development of antibiotic resistance,” Stephen B. Calderwood, MD, FIDSA, IDSA president, said in the release.

Stephen B. Calderwood

Since many patients do not respond to current antibiotics, either because they are ineffective or too toxic for the patient, the development of new antibiotic treatment options are desperately needed, according to Calderwood.

Other organizations that support the new bill include the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Gastroenterological Association; American Thoracic Society; March of Dimes Foundation; National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, among others.

“By incentivizing the development of life-saving drugs and diagnostics, we can save money and keep people healthy and safe. In the last quarter-century we’ve seen antibiotic and antifungal resistance grow while research and development has lagged. This poses a serious threat to public health that must be addressed. Our bipartisan bill tackles this very issue by encouraging the development of new antibiotics and rapid diagnostic tests. The bill will help save lives and money. Congress should quickly pass it,” READI Act co-author Rep. Mike Thompson, said in the release.