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First shipment of life-saving TB drugs arrives in Moldova, UN health agency reports

First shipment of life-saving TB drugs arrives in Moldova, UN health agency reports

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Life-saving tuberculosis (TB) drugs to treat nearly 4,000 people have arrived in the Republic of Moldova, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today.

The vital drugs are being made available through a worldwide partnership called the Global TB Drug Facility, which was started earlier this year with seed capital provided by the Canadian Government. The arrival of the high-quality TB drugs in Moldova represents the first delivery through the Facility.

"TB drug contributions from the Global Drug Facility provide the type of interventions which we know will have an impact," said WHO Director-General Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland. "The Facility demonstrates that new forms of collaboration and partnership are possible and productive, providing cost-effective and necessary treatment to the poor and marginalized."

Through standardization of drug products, a bulk buying procurement system, and a competitive bidding process, the Facility has slashed TB drug prices for a six-month course of treatment to just $10, which represents a 30 per cent savings on international drug prices. In addition to Moldova, 11 other countries have qualified for support under the initiative.