J&J pledges not to enforce TB patents in certain countries
In a move welcomed by healthcare charities, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has confirmed that it will not enforce patents it owns and controls for Sirturo (bedaquiline) in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in 134 low-and middle-income countries.
The company released a statement on September 29, in which it said that the decision is intended to assure current and future generic manufacturers that they may manufacture and sell high quality generic versions of the treatment without a concern that the company will enforce its bedaquiline patents.
However, they must ensure that the generic versions are of good quality, medically acceptable, and are used only in the 134 low- and middle-income countries.
“Underdiagnosis remains the most significant barrier to treatment, with nearly two-thirds of the 450,000 people who develop MDR-TB each year not diagnosed and enrolled on treatment,” said Howard Reid, global head, global public health and social impact at the pharma company.
He added: “This addresses any misperception that access to our medicine is limited or restricted and builds on our decade of investments in collaborative efforts to help countries sustainably scale up access and bring people living with MDR-TB into treatment.”
J&J introduced Sirturo, the first targeted tuberculosis (TB) medicine with a novel mechanism of action in more than 40 years, in 2012.
Johnson & Johnson has previously granted the Stop TB Partnership's global drug facility a licence that enabled it to tender, procure, and supply generic versions of Sirturo for the majority of low-and middle-income countries. The company said that it will continue to invest in innovative capacity building, surveillance and patient finding efforts that drive access and appropriate use of bedaquiline.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) lauded the move, and encouraged other pharma firms to follow J&J’s lead. “This is a win for public health and TB patients, but it took far too long to become a reality considering the years of urgent advocacy from civil society.
“Pharmaceutical giants’ greed and patent hoarding prevents access to lifesaving drugs, vaccines, and other medical commodities, all in pursuit of profiting from the sick and dying,” said Loretta Wong, deputy chief of global advocacy and policy for AHF.
She added: “The decision from Johnson & Johnson is a positive step, but global public health is far too pressing for every decision to take such time and advocacy.
“Pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility outside shareholders’ profits and must do right by the world or continue facing pressure and negative press from the public.”
