The DISARM Act of 2019 provides the framework needed to
stabilize the antimicrobial ecosystem, spur development of new
infection-fighting drugs, and preserve the effectiveness of
existing medicines for drug-resistant infections
WASHINGTON, June 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Antimicrobials Working Group (AWG), a coalition of companies with
the mission to combat drug-resistant infections and spur
life-saving innovations, applauds Senators Johnny Isakson and Bob
Casey on the introduction of the Developing an Innovative
Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistant Microorganisms (DISARM) Act of
2019, S. 1712. This bipartisan legislation introduces a much-needed
and timely incentive to ensure appropriate patient access to new
antimicrobial medicines to fight serious and life-threatening
infections in the inpatient setting.
The DISARM Act of 2019 aims to strengthen the antimicrobial
research and development pipeline and provide better access to more
effective treatments for patients with drug-resistant infections by
improving Medicare reimbursement. This policy helps to ensure the
availability and access to new, safe and effective products,
ultimately stabilizing the fragile antimicrobials marketplace for
innovators and investors.
This legislation includes critical surveillance measures to
improve antimicrobial use and resistance reporting and stewardship
provisions to facilitate appropriate use of new products. These
important provisions help to ensure use of the 'right drug for the
right bug at the right time' to limit the development of
resistance.
"We applaud Senators Isakson and Casey for introducing the
DISARM Act of 2019 and putting us one step closer to leveling the
playing field for new antimicrobials, while also helping to address
the challenge of antimicrobial resistance," said Evan Loh, M.D., President, Chief Operating
Officer, and Chief Medical Officer of Paratek Pharmaceuticals and
Chairman of the AWG. "If passed, we believe the policy will give
physicians the ability to make clinical decisions based on the
needs of their patients and help to stabilize the tenuous situation
antimicrobial manufacturers are currently facing."
AWG looks forward to working with a diverse group of
stakeholders representing public health organizations, infectious
disease doctors and developers to advocate for this critical
bipartisan legislation that supports innovation, stabilizes the
antimicrobial ecosystem and spurs advances in new antimicrobials to
ensure availability of and access to novel antimicrobials to treat
serious and life-threatening infections.
For the full legislative text of the DISARM Act of 2019, please
visit:
https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/244e41a8-9d38-4024-9783-a1511c133816/06-04-19%20DISARM%20116th%20Congress.pdf
About The Antimicrobials Working Group
AWG was founded in 2012 with the vision of utilizing collective
power to improve the regulatory, investment, and commercial
environment for emerging infectious disease companies. Today, AWG
is comprised of fourteen antimicrobials companies: Amplyx
Pharmaceuticals, Aridis Pharmaceuticals, Cidara Therapeutics Inc.
(NASDAQ: CDTX), ContraFect Corporation (NASDAQ: CFRX), Entasis
Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: ETTX), Iterum Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ:
ITRM), Melinta Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: MLNT), Motif Bio PLC
(AIM/NASDAQ: MTFB) , Nabriva Therapeutics US Inc. (NASDAQ: NBRV),
Paratek Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTK), Qpex Biopharma, Inc.,
SCYNEXIS Inc. (NASDAQ: SCYX), Summit Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ:
SMMT; AIM: SUMM), and VenatoRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For more information, visit:
www.antimicrobialsworkinggroup.org
About The Conafay Group
The Conafay Group, led by Stephen R.
Conafay, Principal, is a life-sciences government relations
firm based in Washington D.C. that
serves as Washington counsel and
coalition manager for AWG.
For more information, visit: www.conafaygroup.com
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SOURCE Antimicrobials Working Group (AWG)