The Global Drug Facility as an intervention in the market for tuberculosis drugs
OA Location
Author(s)
Arinaminpathy, N
Cordier-Lassalle, T
Lunte, K
Dye, C
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objective To investigate funding for the Global Drug Facility since 2001 and to analyse the facility’s influence on the price of high-quality
tuberculosis drugs.
Methods Data on the price of tuberculosis drugs were obtained from the Global Drug Facility for 2001 to 2012 and, for the private sector
in 15 countries, from IMS Health for 2002 to 2012. Data on funding of the facility were also collected.
Findings Quality-assured tuberculosis drugs supplied by the Global Drug Facility were generally priced lower than drugs purchased in
the private sector. In 2012, just three manufacturers accounted for 29.9 million United Stated dollars (US$) of US$ 44.5 million by value
of first-line drugs supplied. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria provided 73% (US$ 32.5 million of US$ 44.5 million)
and 89% (US$ 57.8 million of US $65.2 million) of funds for first- and second-line drugs, respectively. Between 2010 and 2012, the facility’s
market share of second-line tuberculosis drugs increased from 26.1% to 42.9%, while prices decreased by as much as 24% (from US$ 1231
to US$ 939). Conversely, the facility’s market share of first-line drugs fell from 37.2% to 19.2% during this time, while prices increased from
US$ 9.53 to US$ 10.2.
Conclusion The price of tuberculosis drugs supplied through the facility was generally less than that on the private market. However, to
realize its full potential and meet the needs of more tuberculosis patients, the facility requires more diverse and stable public funding and
greater flexibility to participate in the private market.
tuberculosis drugs.
Methods Data on the price of tuberculosis drugs were obtained from the Global Drug Facility for 2001 to 2012 and, for the private sector
in 15 countries, from IMS Health for 2002 to 2012. Data on funding of the facility were also collected.
Findings Quality-assured tuberculosis drugs supplied by the Global Drug Facility were generally priced lower than drugs purchased in
the private sector. In 2012, just three manufacturers accounted for 29.9 million United Stated dollars (US$) of US$ 44.5 million by value
of first-line drugs supplied. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria provided 73% (US$ 32.5 million of US$ 44.5 million)
and 89% (US$ 57.8 million of US $65.2 million) of funds for first- and second-line drugs, respectively. Between 2010 and 2012, the facility’s
market share of second-line tuberculosis drugs increased from 26.1% to 42.9%, while prices decreased by as much as 24% (from US$ 1231
to US$ 939). Conversely, the facility’s market share of first-line drugs fell from 37.2% to 19.2% during this time, while prices increased from
US$ 9.53 to US$ 10.2.
Conclusion The price of tuberculosis drugs supplied through the facility was generally less than that on the private market. However, to
realize its full potential and meet the needs of more tuberculosis patients, the facility requires more diverse and stable public funding and
greater flexibility to participate in the private market.
Date Issued
2015-03-03
Date Acceptance
2015-01-04
Citation
Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 2015, 93 (4), pp.237-248
ISSN
1564-0604
Publisher
World Health Organization
Start Page
237
End Page
248
Journal / Book Title
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume
93
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© WHO 2014
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Grant Number
MR/K010174/1B
OPP1095710
N/A
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS
MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT
PRIVATE-SECTOR
SUBSTANDARD
PROCUREMENT
HEALTH
IMPACT
Tropical Medicine
11 Medical And Health Sciences
Publication Status
Published