Registration is now open for the 44th Union World Conference on Lung Health to be held in Paris on 30 October–3 November 2013. The conference is the largest annual meeting focusing on lung health and related issues as they affect low- and middle-income countries. The theme this year is "Shared air, safe air?"

A clinical trial to assess a 9-month standardised treatment regimen for MDR-TB has begun in South Africa, Ethiopia and Vietnam.

Public Health Action is an open access journal, in electronic format only. The journal aims to promote the vision of The Union, Health solutions for the poor, by disseminating new knowledge on health systems and health services for vulnerable groups, with a priority on tuberculosis, lung health, non-communicable diseases and related public health issues.

The guide offers clear, practical advice on how to manage the patients who have multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

The Union's TREAT TB initiative has created an E-tool for Operational Research to help meet the urgent need for health professionals with the skills to conduct this type of research independently.

Public Health Action is an open access journal, in electronic format only. It provides a platform for the Union's mission 'Health solutions for the poor'. The journal addresses the clear need for show-casing operational research that addresses issues in health systems and services. It publishes high-quality scientific research that provides new knowledge to improve access, equity, quality and efficiency of health systems and services.

Several new classes of anti-tuberculosis agents are likely to become available in the coming decade. Ensuring prompt access to these drugs for patients without other treatment options is an important medical and public health issue. This article reviews the current state of ‘compassionate use’ and ‘expanded access’ programs for these new drugs, and identifies several shortcomings that will limit patient access to the drugs. A series of five steps is outlined that will need to be taken by national health bodies, international agencies and non-governmental organizations to prevent undue delays in access to new tuberculosis drugs for patients who could benefit from them. Following these steps can ensure that patients will be able to benefit from access to these drugs, while minimizing the risk of emergence of resistance to the drug.

The Union published its official statement on TB prevention and control measures that should be taken on behalf of the 9.8 million people in jails, prisons, remand and detention centres worldwide.

Pilot TB-HIV programmes have demonstrated that integrated care provided through primary health care facilities, using paramedical staff, is feasible and effective.

A joint Union/MSF publication providing transparent information on prices and quality-assured sources for DR-TB medicines, as well as a summary of the challenges still limiting their access to a broader number of patients.