Funding was flat in 2010 and only covered less than one-third of the global need
New data released by the Treatment Action Group (TAG) and the Stop TB Partnership finds that in 2010 the world spent just $617 million in TB research and development. This amount represents 0.3% less than 2009 funding levels. It is also less than one-third of the $2 billion annual target the Stop TB Partnership estimates is needed to provide new interventions to eliminate TB.
Although in 2010 funding to support TB diagnostics research grew by 15% to reach $44.6 million, this increase follows a 22% decline between 2008 and 2009 and the funding level in 2010 is still below 2008’s $50 million investment. Moreover, this amount only represents 13% of the $340 million annual target set by the Global Plan. A massive and essential resource mobilization effort is needed to enable the development of a low-cost and effective POC diagnostic test for use at the community level.
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