PHM-Exch> Webinar on new TB drugs - 30 June - 5:30-7.00 PM IST, 2-3.30 PM CEST, 8-9.30 AM EDT

[Jyotsna Singh]

*Challenging Patent Barriers in Accessing New TB Treatments*


Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the foremost causes of death and
disability in developing countries.   It is the world’s leading infectious
disease killer, especially for immunocompromised persons such as those
living with HIV or who are malnourished. It is also a major contributor to
antimicrobial resistance. TB is a curable disease, and yet it claims about
1.5 million lives each year. Countries like Bangladesh, China, India,
Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines and South Africa are among the
worst affected.

Developing countries are facing the growing threat of drug-resistant TB
(DR-TB) which is known for longer and far more complex treatment regimen
than drug-susceptible TB. Some of the older drugs for DR-TB, such as
injectables, have hideous side-effects including permanent hearing loss and
neurosis, compromising quality of life for  patients even after they are
cured of TB.

It is only recently, after a gap of 50 years, that new DR-TB drugs have
been discovered. They have the potential to drastically change quality of
life for patients during and after the treatment. They are safer to use and
have shorter duration of treatment which is important to reduce loss to
follow up. Other than bedaquiline, delamanid and pretomanid, which are
already being administered to patients, many more drugs are in the
pipeline.

However, these treatments are widely patented, with multiple patents on
different forms and uses. This is prolonging the monopoly on the medicines
and delaying entry of more affordable generic alternatives. Consequently
prices of these new treatments remain high creating challenges in accessing
these treatments. High costs create a drain on the health systems. Notably
many of the new TB drugs have been developed with public funding.

In this context, the Third World Network and People's Health Movement are
organising a webinar to discuss challenges in accessing affordable new TB
treatments, new treatments in the pipeline, the trends in patenting and
implications for access. Details of the webinar are as follows:


*Moderator *


Jyotsna Singh, People's Health Movement


*Speakers *

   - Leena Menghaney, MSF Access Campaign: *Overview: New TB drugs, prices
   and problems with multiple patents*
   - Lindsay McKenna, Treatment Action Group: *Pipeline drugs in TB*
   - Sangeeta Shashikant, Third World Network: *TB drugs landscape *
   - Anand Grover, Lawyers Collective: *Petition for Government
   use/compulsory license to access new TB drugs*
   - Mykyta Trofymenko, 100% Life: *Oppositions to new TB drugs*


*Date*: Jun 30, 2021


*Time*: 05:30-7.00 PM IST, 2-3.30 PM CEST, 8-9.30 AM EDT


*Register in advance*:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_56L3emUsSA6X0UfQG_yvyQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing
information about joining the webinar.
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