As a member of the cystic fibrosis (CF) community, I urge you to support the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act (H.R. 7352).

CF is a rare, progressive genetic disease often characterized by the buildup of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs, creating an environment where harmful pathogens can become trapped and colonize the airways. To treat these life-threatening respiratory infections, many people with CF rely on antibiotics to manage symptoms and eradicate harmful bacteria. With the widespread and often long-term use of antibiotics, individuals become increasingly susceptible to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to withstand the medications designed to treat them. 

AMR is not just a problem people with CF face. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 3 million people in the U.S. will experience antibiotic resistant infections each year, and over 48,000 people will die. As AMR is an urgent national concern, it is critical to create stronger incentives for the development of new antibiotic and antifungal therapies. Currently, companies have little incentive to develop new antimicrobial therapies, which would be used as a last resort after currently available therapies fail. New avenues to incentivize antimicrobial drug development are urgently needed. 

The PASTEUR Act would strengthen the pipeline for new antibiotics and antifungals by changing how the federal government pays for them. Instead of basing payment on volume of sales, the legislation would establish a subscription-based model that reflects the value these therapies provide to patients and the healthcare system. Through this system, companies would receive fixed annual payments for up to 10 years, ensuring they get a return on investment regardless of how much the drug is prescribed. The bill would also expand support for antimicrobial stewardship programs in rural, critical access, and safety net hospitals, as well as long-term care facilities. Implementation and oversight of this framework would be completed under a Committee on Critical Need Antimicrobials, consisting of representatives from relevant federal agencies, as well as doctors, patients, and outside experts. 

I respectfully ask you to support the passage of the PASTEUR Act (H.R. 7352) to help protect people with cystic fibrosis and all Americans from the growing threat of AMR. Thank you for your continued leadership on this urgent issue.