The Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility announces a 54% price reduction for bedaquiline and introduces new drug-sensitivity tests, improving access to essential TB treatments and saving millions.
In a major move to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility (GDF) has announced a significant 54% price reduction for bedaquiline, bringing the cost down to $90 per treatment course. This reduction, alongside up to 13% price cuts for other key DR-TB medicines, results in a new all-time low price of $364 for the commonly-used BPaLM regimen. The price decreases are expected to save donors and clients $7.1 million over two years, enabling the procurement of additional treatments for TB patients worldwide.
These cost reductions align with the WHO’s recommendations and are a critical step in improving access to DR-TB treatments. The GDF is also introducing bedaquiline drug-sensitivity tests to help countries better assess and prevent resistance to this essential drug. Priced at $1.34 per test, the new diagnostic tools are vital in preserving the efficacy of bedaquiline, ensuring that patients receive the most effective treatments available.
Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership, emphasized the importance of initiatives like GDF in driving down drug prices and ensuring that TB patients receive the necessary care amid limited funding. The announcement signals a promising advancement in the fight against TB globally.
