Danaher Corporation, which sells the Xpert MTB/RIF molecular test for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) and rifampicin resistance, has announced a lowering of the price of its standard TB test cartridge to $7.97, a 20% reduction from the current price of $9.98 in low- and middle-income countries. The announcement comes in the wake of mounting international pressure to drop the price by 50%.
Danaher Corporation will provide the cartridges at a reduced price to the Global Fund and to less-developed countries eligible for Cepheid’s Global Access Programme, according to a Danaher Corporation press release.
Danaher Corporation says that by cutting the price to about $8, the company will be selling the test at cost and will not be earning any profit. In addition, the company also announced that it will bring in an “internationally accredited third-party” to validate the actual cost on an annual basis and adjust the price, if necessary. This arrangement has been made so that the company earns no profit from the sale of these cartridge.
