Global Fund secures deal to slash HIV treatment price; to benefit over 19 million

Global Fund secures deal to slash HIV treatment price; to benefit over 19 million

Subject: Science

Section: Health

Introduction:

The Global Fund, partners, and generic drug makers achieved a 25% cost reduction for first-line HIV treatment, now priced at under $45 per person annually. This has the potential to expand HIV services in resource-limited areas.

First-line HIV Treatment – TLD:

• Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir (TLD) is a single-pill antiretroviral treatment.
• WHO endorsed TLD in 2018 due to its effectiveness, fewer side effects, and simplicity.

Historical Progress and Collaboration:

• 2017: TLD was introduced at $75 annually in low- and middle-income countries with global support.
• Partnerships led to 19 million in resource-limited settings receiving TLD, promoting efficiency and sustainable pricing.

Future Initiatives and Impact:

• Global Fund’s NextGen approach focuses on affordable HIV treatment through collaborations, particularly in India and Africa.
• Pooled Procurement Mechanism and Reach
• Mechanism negotiated $1.5 billion in 2021 orders, serving 90 countries, and providing access to essential health products.

The Global Fund

• The Global Fund is an international financing and partnership organization.
• It was created in 2002 and its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The Global Fund aims to attract, leverage, and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• It is designed to promote innovative solutions to global health challenges. It works in partnership with governments, civil society, technical agencies, and people affected by the diseases.
• Public sector contributions have constituted 95 percent of all financing raised; the remaining 5 percent comes from the private sector or other financing initiatives such as Product Red.

India joined the Global Fund as a donor in 2006.