A recently introduced bill to encourage pharmaceutical companies
to invest in the development of antibiotics to fight drug-
resistant bacteria is a step in the right direction but needs to
be further supplemented with support for earlier stages of drug
discovery. The Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now Act, also
known at the GAIN Act, includes provisions for a patent
extension on these drugs and ensures a prompt review of these
agents by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The act,
sponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, and Bob
Corker, R-Tenn., however, influences only a small segment of the
research and development community involved in the fight against
resistant bacteria. To actively prevent the spread of antibiotic
resistance, we urge Congress to increase its support of all
phases of drug discovery and clinical practice. Focusing this
legislation on the development of drugs to target resistant
bacteria is critical because these bacteria are associated with
increased disease, healthcare