Relief in South Africa after J&J reversal allows key tuberculosis drug production at lower prices
Medical advocacy groups have welcomed Johnson & Johnson’s decision not to enforce its patent on a critical tuberculosis medication, allowing its production at much lower prices
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Medical advocacy groups have welcomed Johnson & Johnson’s decision not to enforce its patent on a critical tuberculosis medication, allowing its production at much lower prices, after South African authorities opened an investigation into the conglomerate.
The South African Competition Commission in a statement on July 5 said it decided not to prosecute a complaint against J&J regarding “allegations of abuse of dominance,” which was prompted after J&J and its subsidiary filed a secondary patent for bedaquiline last year, used to treat drug-resistant TB.
Experts argued that the patent prevented generic producers from making cheaper medicines, threatening the treatment of tens of thousands of people in South Africa. TB killed more than 50,000 people there in 2021, making it the country’s leading cause of death.
Authorities said J&J has agreed not to enforce its patent and to drop the price charged to South Africa by about 40%.
