Global Drug Facility: Provision of Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs

This grant represents part of Canada’s contribution to the Global Drug Facility (GDF) a program of the Stop TB Partnership. It provides access to anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs for governments that agree to introduce expand or maintain the diagnostic treatment and monitoring policies of the DOTS (directly observed treatment short-term) strategy. Launched in 2001 the GDF works to improve the supply distribution and monitoring of anti-TB drugs in developing countries and is the only global bulk procurer of anti-TB drugs. Canada was the founding donor of the GDF and to date (2010) has been the single largest donor country for first-line TB drugs. The GDF is a four-pronged mechanism whereby: (1) countries who cannot afford to procure all the anti-TB drug they need are eligible to apply for drugs for up to six years (DFATD provides funding for this component); (2) countries who can pay for the anti-TB drugs they need but cannot assure the quality of the drugs can directly procure them through the GDF at reduced bulk prices (DFATD funding does not contribute to this component); (3) countries where the procurement system is weak can receive technical assistance to strengthen their capacity for drug procurement (DFATD supports this component); and (4) Global Fund recipient countries can procure anti-TB drugs directly through GDF using Global Fund monies to ensure a stable and high-quality drug supply.