HCV developing world strategy
Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the significant public health challenge that hepatitis C virus (HCV) presents worldwide, including the substantial burden of the disease in the developing world. With more than 80% of the global HCV patient population living in low- and middle-income countries, there is great need for HCV treatment options in these countries. The significant challenges facing many of these countries are not homogeneous and beyond the reach of any one stakeholder to unilaterally address. A particular need continues to exist for governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society and industry to form coalitions to address the challenges.
"We believe a coalition approach, which brings multiple stakeholders to the table to discuss the best path forward, is needed to enable broad access to HCV treatment over time. The challenge of HCV in the developing world cannot be address unilaterally by one stakeholder."
--Amadou Diarra, Head of Global Policy, Advocacy & Government Affairs
Bristol Myers Squibb is continuing to strengthen our efforts to enable global access to DAKLINZA (daclatasvir). We have employed multiple approaches including tiered pricing in low- and middle-income countries, supplemented by a direct-import program in countries where we do not have plans to commercialize DAKLINZA. Our tiered pricing model for DAKLINZA takes into consideration several factors, including countries’ economic development and burden of disease, as well as the commitment of the government to holistically address hepatitis C, including treatment and care. The lowest pricing tier applies to all low-income and least developed countries.
Of significance, we have entered into the first-ever licensing agreement for a hepatitis C medicine with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), which provides a royalty-free license for daclatasvir (DAKLINZA) in a territory of 112 countries across the globe (see list below). Nearly two-thirds of all hepatitis C patients in low- and middle-income countries currently reside in the licensing territory, and in developing countries that are not included in this footprint, Bristol Myers Squibb works with other stakeholders to enable access to DAKLINZA using other approaches. In 2016, DAKLINZA became the first-ever HCV medicine to gain WHO Pre-Qualification status.
Bristol Myers Squibb has partnered with AmeriCares, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) and Duke University on a first-of-its-kind program in Africa and Southeast Asia aimed at curing HCV among patients co-infected with HCV and HIV. Bristol Myers Squibb is donating free courses of DAKLINZA (daclatasvir) to treat 10,000 patients across Rwanda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia, where the initiative is being launched. The multi-year donation is designed to help the Clinton Health Access Initiative kick-start the program and provide a bridge to a sustainable access structure once licensed generic daclatasvir is available in these countries, and Clinton and its partners are able to work to address infrastructure challenges and other existing barriers to treatment.
Countries included in the licensing territory:
Afghanistan |
Malawi |