TB Drug Availability
NTCA documents drug shortages and price increases, supports the process to submit patient assistance requests to acquire TB drugs, and works with pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and partner organizations to secure an adequate supply of affordable tests and tools to diagnose TB and drugs to treat TB infection and disease.
Documenting Shortages and Price Increases
NTCA’s Survey Committee oversees the TB Drug Availability Challenges Notification Form. When a TB drug is locally unavailable or going into shortage or if a TB drug price increases, NTCA encourages program staff to report these issues on the form. The reports alert NTCA staff to look into the problem and to monitor trends in TB drug supply and pricing.
Supporting the Bedaquiline Patient Assistance Process
NTCA is currently updating instructions and links to the application to request assistance from the Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Program for under- and uninsured patients who are prescribed SIRTURO® (Bedaquiline or BDQ) to acquire the drug for TB treatment.