Minister Conor Lenihan announces €300,000 funding to the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development

Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, today announced funding of €300,000 to the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development.

Minister Lenihan made the announcement in Dublin, to coincide with an international symposium of global health experts on TB at Columbia University, New York on 7th March.

In making the announcement, Mr. Lenihan said:

“Investing in the development of new drugs and vaccines is a vital strategy for tackling the world's killer diseases of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. 

TB is responsible for the deaths of 2 million people every year and many of those are adults in their peak years of economic activity.  50% of those with HIV infection develop TB, thus treatment for TB is an important part of HIV/AIDS care.

TB treatment is complicated by the need to take four medications for at least six months.  However, no major new TB drug has been developed in over 30 years. 

This grant from Irish Aid will help accelerate the development of new, better and more affordable drugs.  Millions of poor people around the globe stand to benefit from new drugs which will simplify treatment and save lives.

In 2006, Irish Aid will grant €17 million to the TB Alliance and other global organisations working in research and development of new drugs and vaccines.

Note for Editors
Shortening and simplifying treatment for TB would save lives and bring significant economic benefits to many parts of the world, especially to the poorest and least developed nations. Between 2000 and 2020, experts estimate that nearly one billion people will be infected by TB, 200 million will become sick and 35 million will die – and the rates of infection are increasing.  Many of those infected with TB are in their peak years of economic productivity.

At the Millennium Review Summit in New York in September, the Taoiseach announced that Ireland would double its funding for efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases to €100 million per annum.

One of the priorities of Irish Aid is investing in the research and development of new drugs and vaccines for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.  In 2006 Ireland will provide funding of €17 million to international organisations for research and development of new drugs and vaccines.   

For further information on the TB Alliance, visit: http://www.tballiance.org/

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Press Office
07 March 2006

07/03/2006