Let’s all remember that if @JNJGlobalHealth @jnjnews does the right thing, we celebrate that and them with absolutely raucous enthusiasm. Takes guts to actually choose #PatientsNotPatents.
@JNJNews This doesn't seem true at all. You are saving this drug in case wealthy countries need it and in the meantime, people are dying - your version of access isn't helping them.
The "some" here, is being led by @sportswithjohn -- one of the most moral people on the planet. I'm with John Green. Come to our side. We have love, world-changing strategies, and great sports stories.
It is false to suggest—as some recently have—that our patents are being used to prevent access to SIRTURO® (bedaquiline), our medicine for MDR-TB.
In fact, we have already entered into a collaboration with the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility (“GDF”)—the largest procurer of TB medicines—which enables them to invite potential generic suppliers and purchase generic versions of SIRTURO® 100mg. On April 5, during a World Health Organization meeting, the GDF shared its intent to launch a tender for generic versions of SIRTURO® 100mg in the third quarter of 2023: https://t.co/6m49h5g7tn
In addition, we have shipped more than 660,000 courses of SIRTURO® to 159 countries since launch. Our patents made this possible, enabling us to assist countries to scale-up their use of our medicine responsibly and sustainably and invest in multiple, critical, anti-TB efforts. For instance, in the face of rising drug resistance, we support stewardship efforts that ensure MDR-TB patients can benefit from our medicine today and in the future.
Unfortunately, the most significant barrier to treatment access for patients today is the fact that millions of patients with TB go undiagnosed every year. This is a challenge that we have invested significant resources to overcome and must all get behind if we are to achieve the global goal of ending TB.
The things that make the most impact are often the least sexy. This is really important. Barely Contained Rage: An Open Letter to Johnson & Johnson - YouTube https://t.co/pZ52c4Rn8p
I want to be very clear that no one is SUGGESTING that people will die because Johnson & Johnson is trying to immorally extend their patent on bedaquline an additional 4 years after its 20-year term.
Instead, people are STATING THE FACT that people will die because of Johnson & Johnson trying to immorally extend their patent on bedaquiline an additional 4 years after its 20-year term.