Major deficiencies in developing, supplying, and distributing anti-tuberculosis drugs is hampering the global effort to control the disease, according to a report from the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance). “The global market for first-line tuberculosis drugs is too small to create innovation, even taking into account countries such as Brazil, China, and India, where markets are still emerging”, said Nina Schwalbe (TB Alliance, New York, NY, USA).
The study, which analysed the tuberculosis drug marketplace in ten countries, found that the lack of a commercial market has put a virtual brake on drug development since the 1960s. New drugs are needed that will shorten existing treatment duration, and treat resistant tuberculosis strains and latent infection. “Because of the limited market value of any new tuberculosis drugs, public sector investment is currently critical to driving research and development”, said Schwalbe.
The report found that variability across the countries analysed in terms of their supply chain could hamper the roll-out of any new drugs. Additionally, manufacturers and policymakers will need to better understand the problems involved in tuberculosis drug supply, delivery, and distribution if new drugs are to reach patients. The development of a global information intermediary structure, or “infomediary” to gather and organise market data for low and middle income countries, is therefore a crucial next step, said Schwalbe. The infomediary will provide market forecasts, develop strategies to reduce drug delivery times, and ensure continuity of global supplies.
Nani Nair (WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, New Delhi, India) told TLID that the Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board, which met in November, 2006, in Jakarta, Indonesia, endorsed the creation of a joint forecasting initiative involving global funding agencies such as the World Bank, bilateral donors, and WHO. “The Global Drug Facility is an important step towards setting up a global infomediary and I don't anticipate that it will take too long”, added Nair.