When a drug giant ties up with a non-profit
Down To Earth|August 01, 2023
J&J's pact with Stop TB Partnership to supply generic versions of bedaquiline promises hope, but falls short in many ways
LATHA JISHNU
When a drug giant ties up with a non-profit

PUBLIC PRESSURE across the world may have prompted one of the world's biggest pharma multinationals to enter into an agreement with a non-profit organisation that will source and supply generic versions of its topline tuberculosis (TB) drug in dozens of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) fighting this disease that kills two million people annually. It is a new kind of pact that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has finally concluded with the UN-backed Stop TB Partnership, whose Global Drug Facility (GDF) purchases and makes TB drugs available at more affordable rates to a host of countries struggling with a heavy load of TB.

This is a significant development, because J&J's bedaquiline-it is on the World Health Organization (WHO)'s list of essential medicines combats the lethal multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB), which afflicts more of the poor and those with HIV than others. Over the past two years, close to half a million new cases have been registered annually. So there was a celebration of sorts when the deal was announced on July 13, allowing GDF “to tender, procure, and supply generic versions of SIRTURO® (bedaquiline) for the majority of lowand middle-income countries, including countries where patents remain in effect." But, this deal is not the best way to fight the scourge of TB, because it excludes far too many countries.

この記事は Down To Earth の August 01, 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Down To Earth の August 01, 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

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