Ensuring Innovation in Diagnostics for Bacterial Infection: Implications for Policy

The inappropriate use of antibiotics is a primary cause of the ongoing increase in drug resistance among pathogenic bacteria. The resulting decrease in the efficacy of antibiotics threatens our ability to combat infectious diseases. Rapid, point-of-care tests to identify pathogens and better target the appropriate treatment could greatly improve the use of antibiotics. Yet there are few such tests currently available or being developed despite the rapid pace of medical innovation. Clearly s...