Global health advocates are urging diagnostics firm Cepheid to slash the price of its GeneXpert mpox test from $20 to $5 per test. This reduction, they argue, is critical to combat low testing rates in poorer countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is among the hardest hit by the mpox outbreak.
Current Challenges
- High Test Costs: Cepheid’s GeneXpert test is one of three World Health Organization (WHO)-approved diagnostics for emergency mpox testing. However, its current pricing is unaffordable for low-income nations, particularly in Africa.
- Rising Cases in Africa: The WHO reported an overall increase in mpox cases across Africa, with some stabilization in Congo. Yet, inadequate testing infrastructure hampers confirmation of cases, limiting effective responses.
Advocacy Efforts
- A coalition of health groups, including Public Citizen and Médecins Sans Frontières, sent a letter to Cepheid and its parent company, Danaher. They are pressing for a price reduction to $5 and prioritization of supplies to African nations.
- Advocates argue that Cepheid’s existing network of diagnostic machines in Africa, widely used for tuberculosis testing, could be leveraged for mpox diagnostics if costs are reduced.
Cepheid’s Response
- Cepheid stated it has ramped up production of its mpox test to meet urgent demands, particularly following requests from the WHO.
- The company claims to offer “significant” discounts through an access program for orders placed via WHO and related organizations, but has not disclosed specific pricing details.
Historical Precedent and Cost Analysis
- In 2022, Danaher reduced prices for its tuberculosis tests to $7.97 after similar activist campaigns. Advocates argue that mpox tests could be produced for less than $5, based on research and cost analyses.
- Public Citizen’s Peter Maybarduk emphasized that the recent WHO approval of Cepheid’s mpox test offers an opportunity to expand testing globally, stating, “Lower prices would help health agencies meet the moment.”
Conclusion
Lowering the price of mpox diagnostic tests is crucial to managing outbreaks in vulnerable regions. Cepheid’s actions in response to the advocacy push will determine the extent to which testing can be scaled up in poorer countries, especially as the virus continues to pose significant health challenges in Africa.