Global pharmaceutical coalition asks governments to help fight superbugs

Pharmaceutical companies worldwide have joined together to appeal to governments to aid them in taking on what are called "superbugs." 

Superbugs are infections that have grown resistant to drugs. More than 80 businesses across the globe -- including pharmaceutical, generics, diagnostics and biotechnology companies -- came together to create a declaration that outlines how governments and the pharmaceutical industry can join forces to develop new products that can beat these superbugs.

The Declaration on Combating Antimicrobial Resistance was conceived and signed by 85 companies and nine industry associations representing 18 different countries from around the world. The declaration, which was announced last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, marks the first time there has been a global outcry to deal with problems such as this. 

All of the companies and associations, including commercial drug and diagnostic developers, agreed on a set of guidelines and a course of action to develop new drugs, diagnostics and vaccines that can stop drug-resistant infections. They are now challenging governments to take action to contribute to the development of these drugs.