GDF and Green Light Committee (GLC) announce convergence

The Global Drug Facility (GDF), already a source for many of the anti-tuberculosis drugs and commodities needed by countries, is expanding its catalogue in 2006 to include second-line anti-TB drugs -- the drugs needed to treat multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). This expansion is being affected through the GDF convergence with the Green Light Committee (GLC).

To increase access to and rational use of anti-TB drugs, the GLC and GDF were launched in 2000 and 2001, respectively: the GLC for second-line drugs and the GDF for first-line drugs. Both initiatives are complementary and the Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board, the Working Group on DOTS-Plus for MDR-TB, and the Stop TB Department of WHO have agreed to converge them. Convergence of the two operations is expected to lead to greater efficiency, better advocacy, increased financing, increased technical knowledge for the GLC and GDF and better TB control.

Convergence of the GLC and GDF will take place in two phases. The first phase, merging of GLC and GDF procurement functions, was implemented in January 2006. The second phase, which will see a convergence of GLC and GDF application, review, monitoring and evaluation functions is planned to occur in 2007.

For more information about the GLC and GDF convergence, please contact gdf@who.int.