Advocates call on pharma companies to improve access to MDR-TB drugs

TB advocates
Nov. 16, 2016, 2:18 p.m.
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TB advocates urge Janssen and Otsuka to improve the affordability and availability of bedaquiline and delamanid.

In open letters sent to Janssen and Otsuka on 19 September 2016, TB advocates urged the two companies to improve access to bedaquiline and delamanid by making the drugs available to all low- and middle-income countries via the Global Drug Facility for USD$52.80 and USD$54.00 per treatment course, respectively.

Bedaquiline and delamanid are among the very few new tools in the armament for treating multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), and offer great hope for people with MDR-TB for whom a regimen cannot otherwise be constructed.

The letters acknowledged the important steps that Janssen and Otsuka have taken to date to develop bedaquiline and delamanid and make them more accessible. However, TB advocates remain troubled by the lack of availability and use of both drugs so far.

The letters listed key high-impact changes that both companies must undertake to radically improve access to these critical drugs.

The signatories expect responses by 3 October 2016.

To read the letter sent to Janssen, click here.
To read the letter sent to Otsuka, click here.

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On 10 October 2016, Otsuka responded generally agreeing that the uptake of new TB drugs, including delamanid, has been very slow. However, in its response the company did not address any of the issues advocates raised as contributing to the limited availability and uptake of delamanid, including the current lack of availability to all low- and middle-income countries via the Global Drug Facility and the price.

To read the full response, click here.

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On 26 October 2016, Janssen responded generally agreeing that bedaquiline is underused and commenting on a number of potentially contributing factors. However, in its response the company did not specifically address the issues advocates raised as contributing to the limited availability and uptake of bedaquiline, including the current lack of availability to all low- and middle-income countries via the Global Drug Facility and the price.

To read the full response, click here.