Urgent action necessary for equitable access to bedaquiline in all countries with high burdens of TB, MDR-TB, and TB/HIV

11 July 2023

Advocates demand that Johnson & Johnson commit to non-enforcement of secondary patent on bedaquiline so that access to generic, quality-assured bedaquiline is guaranteed after the primary patent expires on 18 July 2023.

On 11 July 2023, TB advocates sent an open letter to Johnson & Johnson (J&J) demanding that the company publicly announce its commitment to not enforce secondary patent on the fumarate salt formulation and any other versions of bedaquiline (Sirturo) and to withdraw any pending applications for the secondary patent so that all countries with high burdens of TB, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), and TB/HIV can access generic, quality-assured bedaquiline after the primary patent expires on 18 July 2023. The letter is signed by 83 organizations and 106 individuals representing TB-affected communities and civil society.

“We call on J&J to formally make this announcement at or before the United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB this September 22, 2023. Failure to do so will show the world that J&J cares more about extending its monopoly over bedaquiline than it does about the lives of people with RR/MDR-TB [rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant TB] who need access to this drug at affordable prices… J&J’s commitment to non-enforcement of the secondary patent on bedaquiline is an urgent humanitarian and human rights concern…”