BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, was recognized by the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) for its efforts to improve access to tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic equipment in developing countries. The GBC is a coalition of more than 220 companies united to keep the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria a global priority.

The GBC honoured BD for its partnership with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics. This landmark initiative seeks to improve access to diagnostics for tuberculosis in the developing world, while simultaneously raising awareness about the importance of diagnostics to slow TB's epidemic spread. Through demonstration projects in eight countries, BD demonstrated the effectiveness of advanced liquid culture technology in improving the speed and accuracy of TB diagnosis, which in turn helps reduce the disease's spread and mortality rate. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) now recommends liquid culture diagnostics as an effective tool in the fight against TB. Hundreds of thousands of co-infected TB/HIV patients will thus gain access to sophisticated TB testing that will have a direct impact on their diagnosis and treatment.

"Business action is making a critical difference. If we get it right and our partners are depending on us to do just that, business has the power to reach millions of people in a way that no other organization can", Richard Holbrooke, president and CEO, GBC said.

According to Ram Sharma, managing director, Becton Dickinson India, "It is honour to receive this prestigious award. We take this opportunity to reaffirm our support to the fight against TB. At BD we are committed to increase access to critical technologies, build health care capacity and continually invest in newer technologies to rapidly and effectively diagnose and treat TB." In India, BD is assisting FIND in assessing laboratory infrastructure and upgrading laboratory facilities at designated RNTCP (Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program) DOTS plus sites. In addition to supplying both equipment as well as reagents for TB culture at highly subsidized costs, BD will also be providing application and service support to these sites.

Gary Cohen, executive vice president, BD accepted the award during a ceremony in New York City.