It warned that there is very little publicly available information on pricing, licensing, supply, and access conditions.

On Thursday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) called for greater transparency in the development of three experimental drugs against the Bundibugyo virus, responsible for the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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Mapp Biopharmaceutical and Gilead Sciences are developing the drugs, with support from public funding and philanthropic organizations. The treatments under evaluation are MBP134, remdesivir, and obeldesivir, which are currently part of the PARTNERS and EBO-PEP clinical trials.

MSF warned that there is very little publicly available information on pricing, licensing, supply, and access conditions for these treatments once the clinical trials are completed.

The health organization reiterated that previous experiences with Ebola have shown that the medical efficacy of a treatment does not guarantee equitable access for affected populations.

Monica Rull, MSF Access’s Deputy Executive Director, stressed the importance of planning for aspects related to funding, stockpiling, and access for children. MSF warned that without clear commitments, access to future treatments could be contingent on commercial decisions.

According to Congolese authorities, the outbreak has accumulated 7,773 confirmed cases and 3,759 deaths since its official declaration on May 15, with a case fatality rate of 48.4%.

The epidemic is currently spreading across 63 health zones in seven provinces of the DRC and is already considered the second deadliest and most contagious Ebola outbreak recorded worldwide.

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

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