E-DRUG: Global shortage of GMP approved or WHO prequalified streptomycin for Cat 2 TB kits
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Colleagues,
The unit prices of GDF Category II kits for TB has increased drastically in the
last 7 months from about 46 USD to 180.75 USD due to shortage of
streptomycin. Besides the price escalation, there is a huge shortage of these
kits and the Countries affected most seems to be those relying on Global Fund
grants to fund their TB projects. Stock outs seem imminent and the ultimate
results might be catastrophic due to increased MDR TB cases and morbidity as a
result of the disease not forgetting the effect on mortality.
This issue is quite distburbing and leads to the following questions;
1. Are there many countries facing the same problem out there?
2. How are they coping amidst the challenge?
3. What type and level of advocacy needs to be initiated to convince the few
manufacturers to lower their prices (for the sake of poor humans suffering out
here) and the global regulators to expedite the approval process to have more
manufacturers in the market.?
Thanks in advance for your contribution.
With kind regards,
Job M. Muriuki, B.Pharm, SPSM
PSM Specialist,
DPR Korea
drmuriuki@yahoo.com