E-DRUG: MSF intervention on Global strategy and targets for TB at WHO EB 134
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Please see intervention on TB just delivered by MSF at the WHO EB.
Global strategy and targets for tuberculosis prevention, care and control
after 2015
134th WHO EXECUTIVE BOARD - Agenda item 6.1
Medecins Sans Frontieres welcomes the proposed global strategy and the
post-2015 targets.
As one of the largest NGO providers of DR-TB care, treating 1,780 patients
in 18 countries we are concerned at the increasing rates DR-TB.
The new strategy highlights governmental commitment and accountability. The
use of clear targets and indicators in country strategic plans is good and
should be emphasised.
We are encouraged to see the Research and Innovation pillar. However, MSF
wishes to highlight points which should be stronger.
Firstly, the R&D pillar has a number of oversights:
- Although the importance of drug development is noted, there needs to
be greater focus on the need for earlier studies combining new drugs, to
accelerate the development of entirely new regimens.
- R&D investment overall needs to dramatically increase to ensure that
no area or population is neglected. Last year, only 30% of the TB R&D
funding need was met. All Member States should increase their investments.
- The strategy should embrace new models of innovation, emphasizing
mechanisms such as prize funds that de-link the cost of R&D from the final
product price.
Secondly, the post-2015 strategy needs to more clearly emphasize the
importance of affordability to the TB response:
- The high price of current tools, such as Xpert MTB/RIF, negatively
impacts countries' ability to implement and scale up of TB response.
- R&D must include clear measures or indicators to ensure that end
products are affordable - already new TB medicines are priced out of reach
for low- and middle-income countries.
- Measures to improve the affordability of medicines should be included,
including pooled procurement, and the use of public health safeguards to
reduce medicine prices.
MSF urges Member States to request the strengthening of the Research and
Innovation pillar so that increased public investment and the affordability
of new tools are given more prominence.
Please sign MSF's DR-TB Manifesto today: www.msfaccess.org/TBManifesto
Joanna Keenan
Press Officer
Medecins Sans Frontieres - Access Campaign
P: +41 22 849 87 45
M: +41 79 203 13 02
E: joanna.keenan[at]geneva.msf.org