South African antitrust authorities ended an investigation into Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen subsidiary over “excessive pricing” of a lifesaving tuberculosis drug after the companies took steps to lower the cost and widen access to the medicine.
In a brief statement, the Competition Commission explained that J&J and Janssen agreed not to enforce a so-called secondary patent on bedaquiline, which is also sold under the brand name Sirturo, a step that makes it possible for generic companies to supply a lower-cost version. At the same time, the companies agreed to lower the price charged to the National Department of Health by about 40%.
The Competition Commission maintained that the price is in line with what the companies are offering the Global Drug Facility, which is the world’s largest procurer of tuberculosis medicines and diagnostics. As a result, the regulator agreed not to pursue an anti-competitive complaint, which was filed last September, before a tribunal.
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