SWITZERLAND —Efforts to expand access to Johnson & Johnson’s tuberculosis (TB) drug, Sirturo (bedaquiline), have faced criticism from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders.
The deal between Johnson & Johnson and the Stop TB Partnership allows the Swiss non-profit organization to manufacture and supply generic versions of Sirturo.
While the global patent for the drug expired on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, Johnson & Johnson continues to hold secondary patents in certain countries, limiting competition.
MSF has called on Johnson & Johnson to withdraw pending secondary patent applications and cease enforcing secondary patents in countries with a high burden of TB.
The organization also raised concerns about the exclusion of countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which have a significant drug-resistant TB burden, from the Stop TB deal.
According to MSF Access, Johnson & Johnson’s bedaquiline is the costliest component of the multi-drug regimen for drug-resistant TB. MSF estimates that the price could be reduced from US$1.50 to US$0.50 per day.
The agreement signed with the Global Drug Facility, an arm of the Stop TB Partnership, allows the non-profit organization to procure and supply generic versions of bedaquiline to 44 low- and middle-income countries.
Critics, including the Vlogbrothers on YouTube, have accused Johnson & Johnson of leveraging secondary patents to extend their exclusivity on the drug. Johnson & Johnson has denied these accusations.
While the deal is seen as a positive step by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), they echo MSF’s concerns about the exclusion of certain countries and call for Johnson & Johnson to ensure access for all countries in need.
Tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge, causing 1.6 million deaths annually and remaining the leading cause of death for people living with HIV.
Stop TB Partnership announced the agreement, highlighting the granting of licenses to the Global Drug Facility to tender, procure, and supply generic versions of bedaquiline. The goal is to support the global effort to end TB.
However, the US-based nonprofit organization Treatment Action Group (TAG) stated that the deal falls short of patient demands and accused Johnson & Johnson of using patent practices to extend monopoly rights.
As the discussions continue, stakeholders stress the importance of ensuring access to bedaquiline for all countries in need and addressing the ongoing challenges in the fight against tuberculosis.
For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.
