Cape Town — An American drug manufacturer has taken an important step to open the way to improved access to the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) across Africa. And a South African campaigner for less expensive treatment has called on other drugs companies to follow J&J's example. Johnson & Johnson announced on September 29 that it will no longer enforce patents for the drug bedaquiline, which it sells as SIRTURO, in 134 low- and middle-income countries. J&J said in its announcement that bedaquiline was introduced in 2012 "after years of focused investments." She said drugs companies' practice of enforcing their patents and their pricing levels "has no place in public health."

Source: The North Africa Journal October 01, 2023 13:27 UTC