Johnson & Johnson expanded global access to tuberculosis drug this week amid novelist and YouTube star John Green joining an advocacy campaign. https://t.co/pgSfHVUJCB
So great that @JNJNews has committed to working with GDF to make generic bedaquiline available in most low- and middle-income countries.
BUT WE ARE STILL WATCHING, J&J. AND WE WILL KEEP WATCHING.
This is nerdfighteria, Johnson & Johnson. We don't dress for women. We don't dress for men.
Like many intentionally confusing corporate crisis response messages, this says a bunch of things that are true but don’t mean what you think, like for example:
“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”
This sounds like it says “everybody can have generic bedaquiline!!” But actually they *had to allow* the production of a generic because some countries had the power and systems in place to reject their attempt to extend their patent. The generic will not be available in countries where the patent extension wasn’t rejected, just like John said in his video.
Unless that’s not the case @JNJNews!!
If you’re telling us that you will allow the sale of generics anywhere in the developing world then we will happily send thank you baskets to your entire c-suite! Please let us know! Maybe we got it wrong and you only did the arduous work of extending the patent in a bunch of developing countries for funsies!
So when @msf, @pih, and hundreds of TB researchers and caregivers signed a letter begging you to end secondary patents for bedaquiline.... they were lying?
THAT'S your response?
@DFTBArecords Got my order confirmation that my @MBMBaM merch is coming (happened SO fast!) Thank you Caenaan! You're amazing and I hope you're doing well!
It’s official, I’m going gray. And this starts my journey of being a silver haired turquoise-jewelry maker living in an earthship in New Mexico. Maybe I’ll stop being carded now...