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TWN
Info Service on Intellectual Property Issues (Jun21/08) WEBINAR: 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
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. Please join us for this Webinar.
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