Johnson & Johnson Agrees to Lower Price of Tuberculosis Drugs in South Africa

The multinational pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson has decided to forgo enforcing its patent on the tuberculosis drug Bedaquiline, thereby enabling its production at significantly reduced prices. This decision follows an investigation by South African authorities into allegations of J&J’s monopolistic practices, which has now been dropped. The South African Competition Commission announced it was dropping legal action against the company and its subsidiary because of its decision to not enforce the patent and reduce the drug’s price by about 40%. J&J’s move is expected to make the drug more accessible, since the lack of a patent means generic producers will now be able to manufacture the drug. It will potentially save tens of thousands of lives especially since tuberculosis remains South Africa’s leading cause of death with over 50,000 fatalities in 2021. Furthermore, activists hope the case sets a precedent for challenging pharmaceutical monopolies and prioritizing public health over profits.

SOURCE: AP NEWS