STAT+: Cepheid faces fresh criticism over the pricing of its TB diagnostics

A controversy has broken out over a diagnostic for tuberculosis that, until recently, had been subsidized by the World Health Organization — the latest flare-up over access to a medical product in mostly poor countries.
At issue is a TB test developed by Cepheid, which reached a 10-year deal with the WHO in August 2012 to supply its GeneXpert diagnostic to dozens of low- and middle-income countries. In exchange for $11.1 million, which was provided by the WHO and others, the company agreed to supply its test for $9.98 per cartridge, a reduction from the previous price tag of $16.86. Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…