U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation that would team up the United States with other countries to fight the global spread of pathogens resistant to treatment, commonly called superbugs.
The congressman on March 9 introduced the Saving Us from Pandemic Era Resistance by Building a Unified Global Strategy (SUPER BUGS) Act, H.R. 7879, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA).
“In the Central Valley, we see firsthand the growing threat of superbugs like Valley Fever, which are becoming harder to treat,” Rep. Valadao said. “The bipartisan SUPER BUGS Act strengthens coordination with our international partners to accelerate new treatments and tools to combat drug-resistant pathogens, and I’m proud to partner with Congressman Levin to help prevent the next global pandemic.”
In the United States, antibiotic-resistant bacteria infect at least 2.8 million people each year and cause more than 35,000 deaths while the pipeline for new antimicrobial drugs remains limited, according to information provided by Rep. Valadao’s office.
If enacted, H.R. 7879 would help prepare for future pandemics by directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the U.S. Department of State, to coordinate with foreign countries and other entities on the development and commercialization of new antimicrobial drugs, diagnostics, and other products.
“There is scientific consensus on the fact that our world will experience another global pandemic, and the next one is likely to be connected to antimicrobial resistance. It’s not a matter of if it will happen, it’s a matter of when,” said Rep. Levin. “Our bill would direct the development of drugs and other products to fight superbugs by entering into partnerships with other countries and multilateral organizations.”
The measure is supported by the American Society of Microbiology, the Global Health Technologies Coalition, the American Public Health Association, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Sepsis Alliance, the Treatment Action Group, and IAVI.