When individual countries try to purchase low-demand, specialty medicines – such as MDR-TB medicines – they are often unable to obtain consistent, affordable supplies. This leaves them vulnerable to price shocks, such as the recent hike in the price of MDR-TB drug Cycloserine.
The Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility, however, is able to pool demand, negotiate prices, and purchase medicines across more than 130 countries. The pooled procurement system with competitive, transparent bidding and long-term supplier agreements, along with other activities to attract new manufacturers into the market have enabled GDF to expand the supplier base, promote competition, and consistently secure low prices of quality-assured medicines.
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