Why Tuberculosis Is Increasing

There are many reasons. Factors that contribute to the spread of TB include the increase in number of foreign born nationals, crowded living conditions, increase in drug resistant strains of TB, lack of access to medical care, and the increase in poverty.

Additionally, frequent international travel, often to places ranked by World Health Organisation (WHO) as having a high incidence of TB, and increasing migration away from the country of birth fuel the risk of a TB epidemic.

The final and perhaps most frightening factor that influences the increase in TB is the emergence of bacterial strains resistant to many modern medicines.

Combination therapies offer the most effective treatment of TB. Also these multiple-drug regimes provide some protection from the risk of drug resistance. The "essential top four" medicines used in various combinations for the treatment of TB are Isoniazid*, Rifampicin*, Pyrazinamide* and Ethambutol*.

* Key suppliers of Tuberculosis treatment products include:

• Isoniazid - Glaxo
• Rifampicin - Sanofi-Aventis
• Pyrazinamide - Genus Pharmaceuticals (From Q3 2008)
• Ethambutol - Genus Pharmaceuticals