Pharma Giant ’ s TB Drug Decision Welcomed, But Not All Developing Countries Benefit

Dr Abhijit Bhattacharya, MS, Central Hospital Kalla, Eastern Coalfields Ltd., assesses an x-ray of a TB patient. Credit: ILOBy Ed HoltBRATISLAVA, Jul 21 2023 (IPS) In a surprise move, pharma giant Johnson and Johnson (J&J) has agreed not to enforce some of its patents on a lifesaving TB drug, making generic versions available in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although on the WHO’s list of essential medicines and a cornerstone of much TB treatment, bedaquiline had not been available in many countries in part because of its high cost. A deal agreed between J&J and the Stop TB Partnership will allow the latter to procure and supply generic bedaquiline to 44 low- and middle-income countries through its Global Drug Facility (GDF). It is expected the price at which these countries will then be able to buy the drug under the deal will be significantly lower than currently, and some experts have suggested it may also reduce the price of the drug for those countries not covered in the deal. But patient advocacy groups say that while it is good news that many countries will now get the drug more cheaply, there remain some serious problems with the new deal as countries with some of the highest TB burdens in the world are excluded. They are also unhappy that it does not address the enforcement of secondary patents the company has on altered formulations of the drug, which are in place in scores of LMICs until 2027. Critics have called on J&J to declare it w...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Africa Asia-Pacific Editors' Choice Europe Featured Global Health Humanitarian Emergencies Sustainable Development Goals TerraViva United Nations IPS UN Bureau IPS UN Bureau Report Source Type: news