World Health Day Emphasis on Antimicrobial Resistance Brings Much-Needed Awareness to Alarming Issue

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Antimicrobial resistance – also known as drug resistance – is a growing problem that increasingly threatens the health of populations worldwide. Today, World Health Day 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on governments and stakeholders to implement the policies and practices needed to prevent and counter the emergence of highly resistant microorganisms. BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, applauds the WHO's focus on this issue and is committed to helping fight the problem.

"The continued growth of drug resistance worldwide is unsettling," said Vincent A. Forlenza, BD President and Chief Operating Officer.  "Combating it effectively will require a collaborative, multi-pronged effort from governments, the healthcare community, industry, non-governmental organizations and patient advocacy groups.  We commend the WHO for taking the lead in raising awareness of this important issue on World Health Day and stand ready to apply our technologies and expertise to help address it."

Greater attention to antibiotic stewardship and infection prevention protocols will help curb the growing impact of resistance. Through collaborations, advocacy and technology, BD is dedicated to enhancing antibiotic stewardship worldwide.  Highlights include:

• Serving as a strategic partner to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).  In this collaboration, BD helps APIC advance its mission by supporting educational programs and initiatives to benefit the infection prevention community.
• Collaborating with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics to ensure access to improved tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics in resource-limited settings highly burdened by drug-resistant TB.  Faster, accurate diagnosis of TB reduces the time spent on inappropriate and ineffective patient treatment, which can lead to further drug resistance. 

About Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective. When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as "superbugs." This is a major concern because a resistant infection may kill, spread to others, and impose huge costs to individuals and society.  For more information, visit www.who.int.

About BD

BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

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SOURCE BD-Becton Dickinson