The Role of Pharmaceutical Companies in Global Health: Lessons From Bedaquiline

Abstract

Many diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality around the world do not attract adequate investment from private sector pharmaceutical companies to research and develop new medicines. During an eight-month fellowship with the Johnson & Johnson Global Public Health team, I explored the role of pharmaceutical companies in tackling global health problems. I use a case study on bedaquiline (brand name SIRTURO®), the first new drug with a novel mechanism of action used to treat tuberculosis in 50 years, to explore barriers and facilitators to engaging pharmaceutical companies in tackling complex global health problems. Further, I discuss implications and lessons from the development of bedaquiline, and the motivations of the pharmaceutical company behind it, that the public health community can learn about the role of pharmaceutical companies in global health.