Health advocates press Cepheid for cheaper mpox tests
November 15, 2024
Global health advocates are urging Cepheid to reduce the price of its GeneXpert mpox test from $20 to $5 to improve testing access in low-income countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which remains severely affected by the virus. Cepheid’s test, approved by WHO for emergency use, is vital as compatible machines are widespread across Africa. Activists argue that affordable pricing could address Congo’s low testing rates, which hinder outbreak management. While Cepheid offers discounts through WHO, transparency on pricing remains limited. Reducing costs could significantly enhance testing capacity and help contain mpox’s spread in hard-hit regions.
Global health advocates are calling on Cepheid to lower the cost of its GeneXpert mpox diagnostic test from $20 to $5 to address the critical testing gap in low-income countries. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), among the hardest-hit by the mpox outbreak, faces significant barriers to confirming cases due to prohibitive testing costs. With compatible GeneXpert machines widely available across Africa for tuberculosis testing, Cepheid’s test has the potential to be a cornerstone in managing the mpox crisis. However, its current pricing limits access in resource-constrained settings.
Mpox, which causes flu-like symptoms and lesions, can be fatal in severe cases. Declared a global public health emergency by WHO this summer, the virus’s spread from the DRC to neighboring countries underscores the urgency of increased diagnostic capacity. Testing remains a critical tool for confirming cases and deploying targeted interventions. Activists, including Public Citizen and Medecins Sans Frontieres, have emphasized that reducing costs could transform Africa’s testing capacity and support outbreak containment.
Cepheid’s parent company, Danaher, previously reduced TB test costs following activist pressure, suggesting that a similar approach could be feasible for mpox diagnostics. While Cepheid has introduced an access program with undisclosed discounts for WHO orders, advocates argue that a $5 price point is essential for widespread adoption. Research indicates the tests can be produced for less than this amount.
Peter Maybarduk of Public Citizen noted that WHO’s recent approval of the GeneXpert test presents an opportunity to ramp up testing. By prioritizing affordability, Cepheid could help health agencies meet this critical moment. Lower prices would empower resource-limited countries like the DRC to strengthen their public health response and mitigate the impact of mpox, fostering a more equitable approach to global health security.