The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) announced today a new collaboration with Danaher Corporation (Danaher), a global science and technology innovator who will provide Cepheid’s Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra diagnostic test cartridges for tuberculosis (TB) at the price of US$7.97, a 20% reduction from the current price of US$9.98.
The agreement, signed with Global Drug Facility, an arm of Stop TB Partnership, allows the non-profit organisation to tender, procure, and supply generic versions of bedaquiline to 44 low- and middle-income countries
The drug manufacturer faced an online pressure campaign championed by novelist John Green before the announcement Thursday, which lets Stop TB Partnership offer cheaper generic versions of Johnson & Johnson’s tuberculosis drug in 44 more countries.