Despite WHO Recommendation, COVID-19 Drug Too Costly and Inaccessible; Will Roche Give Up Monopoly?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of monoclonal antibody tocilizumab in cases of severe COVID-19 illness. However, the high price of the drug, manufactured by Roche, makes it inaccessible for many populations around the world. Doctors Without Borders has called for an end to Roche’s monopoly and a reduced price; the drug costs approximately $40 per 400mg to manufacture yet costs $3,625 per 600 mg dose in the United States.

“Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) called on the Swiss pharmaceutical corporation Roche—the world’s sole producer of the drug—to lower the price and make it accessible for everyone who needs it. Additionally, Roche must end its monopoly and urgently share the know-how, technology, and additional information necessary for other manufacturers across the world to produce the medicine as well, which would ensure adequate supply and access for people everywhere, said MSF.” Read more here.

(Source: Doctors Without Borders, 7/6/21)