USA — In a groundbreaking initiative, Danaher Corporation has announced a game-changing move that is set to transform tuberculosis (TB) testing access across the globe.
The company is embarking on an unprecedented mission by offering Cepheid’s Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra diagnostic test cartridges, vital for TB detection, at an astonishingly low cost of just US$7.97 per cartridge compared to US$9.98 earlier.
This epic step underscores Danaher’s unwavering commitment to supporting worldwide health initiatives, leaving no one behind in the battle against TB.
Danaher’s announcement comes after concerted pressure from a coalition of international health and aid organizations, including the Global Fund, Stop TB Partnership, and USAID.
These organizations initially advocated for a 50% price reduction to approximately US$5 per cartridge and have warmly welcomed Danaher’s final cost reduction.
The beneficiaries of this visionary initiative are twofold: the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, and less-developed countries eligible for Cepheid’s Global Access Program.
The cartridges will be sold at a lowered price to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (the Global Fund) and to less-developed countries eligible for Cepheid’s Global Access Program to support greater access to high-quality TB testing.
The Global Fund stands as the world’s largest financier of efforts to combat TB, leaving an indelible mark by distributing millions of tests annually in regions where access to quality TB testing is most critical.
Danaher’s commitment to slashing the price of Cepheid’s Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra test cartridge to a mere US$7.97 signifies more than just a generous gesture—it’s a resolute mission.
In this endeavor, Danaher operates at cost, relinquishing any profit margins, reaffirming its unwavering dedication to the cause.
Tuberculosis claims approximately 1.5 million lives annually, according to the World Health Organization, ranking it as the world’s deadliest infectious disease and the thirteenth-leading cause of death globally, despite being completely curable.
However, due to the high costs of both treatment and testing, the cure remains out of reach for many in developing countries such as Lesotho, India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Peru.
Danaher and Cepheid’s GeneXpert machine, developed in 2005 with more than US$252 million in public funding, primarily from the U.S., is now a beacon of hope.
A decade-long commitment
This move builds upon a decade-long partnership between Cepheid, an operating company under the Danaher umbrella, and the Global Fund.
Their shared goal is to enhance access to TB testing where it’s needed most. Cepheid and the Global Fund are pivotal members of a consortium that includes esteemed entities like the Stop TB Partnership, the Global Drug Facility, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Together, they are steadfast in their commitment to expanding access to essential diagnostic testing solutions, all aligned with the global objective of eradicating TB worldwide by 2030.
Cepheid’s Xpert TB test stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. Developed in partnership with FIND and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this test has been a lifeline for low- and middle-income countries burdened by high TB rates.
Cepheid’s relentless dedication to the fight against TB is evident through substantially subsidized prices for essential regions, backed by influential organizations such as the World Health Organization, OGAC/USAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Unitaid.
Transparency and accountability are paramount for Cepheid. In response to recent speculation surrounding TB test cartridge costs, the company is taking proactive measures to address concerns.
Moving forward, Cepheid will validate its actual costs annually through internationally accredited third-party assessments and make pricing adjustments as necessary.
This will ensure that Danaher’s involvement remains entirely profit-free, reinforcing its dedication to the cause.
With over 15 years of steadfast commitment, Cepheid has played a pivotal role in increasing access to testing in regions grappling with high TB incidence and other infectious diseases.
During this period, the company has continued to innovate, invested heavily in research and development, and introduced more accurate and cost-effective tests to the market.
Their overarching mission remains steadfast—expanding access to precise, high-quality, and user-friendly TB testing on a global scale.
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