The problem
Countries faced the risks of stock-outs of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) drugs because of low or infrequent production, reflecting weak demand for the medication. Stock-outs could then hinder treatment success, forcing a patient to discontinue treatment, leaving them vulnerable to the disease and fueling drug resistance.
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Our response
Through this project, Unitaid and the Stop TB Partnership aimed to create a sufficient stock of MDR-TB medicines to allow countries easy access at short notice. The stockpile also encouraged generic manufacturers with high-quality standards to stay in the market by providing a stream of regular orders for their products.
The Global Drug Facility successfully increased the supply and affordability of MDR-TB drugs, while also significantly reducing lead times for urgent orders. None of the participating countries indicated running out of MDR-TB medicines or first-line TB drugs.
