The New York Times Story on Beximco Pharma’s Affordable Cystic Fibrosis Drug ‘Triko’

The New York Times has published a story on Beximco Pharma’s affordable cystic fibrosis drug Triko which is 95% cheaper than the originator brand. 

Last week, the medicine was formally handed over to cystic fibrosis patients and their family representatives from six countries at Beximco Pharma’s manufacturing facility in Tongi, near Dhaka.

In the article titled “A Loophole Brings Cystic Fibrosis Patients a ‘Miracle Drug’ in Generic Form,” The New York Times highlights Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, particularly Beximco Pharma’s initiative, within the broader context of global healthcare access.

The report features the real-life experiences of patients from South Africa, Slovakia, and Bangladesh, while also examining global disparities in access to life-saving medicines and detailing Beximco’s efforts to address this challenge.

According to the article, cystic fibrosis is a complex and potentially fatal genetic disorder. While Trikafta, developed by US-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals, has revolutionized CF treatment worldwide, its high price places it beyond the reach of most patients in low and middle-income countries. In the United States, a year’s supply of Trikafta costs approximately USD 346,000.

Against this backdrop, Beximco Pharmaceuticals offers Triko, a generic version of Trikafta. Leveraging Bangladesh’s status as a Least Developed Country (LDC) and the associated exemptions under World Trade Organization (WTO) intellectual property regulations, the company was able to reverse-engineer and produce the medicine.

The article notes that Triko costs approximately USD 6,350 per year for children and around USD 12,000 annually for adults—significantly lower than the cost of the original drug. Although the treatment remains expensive for many families, it creates a realistic pathway for thousands of patients to access a life-saving therapy.

The New York Times recounts the stories of South African patient Josua Lottering, Slovakian patient Šimon Ševčík, and Bangladeshi child Aadil Rahman, illustrating how they and their families traveled to Bangladesh to obtain Triko. In many cases, patients have been unable to access the medicine in their home countries due to lack of regulatory approval or financial support.

The report also quotes Beximco’s Chief Operating Officer, Rabbur Reza, who emphasized the company’s commitment to developing affordable versions of innovative and life-saving medicines to help reduce global inequities in healthcare access.

The article further highlights Beximco’s track record in producing affordable generic versions of critical medicines, including treatments for Hepatitis C and COVID-19. In this context, the launch of Triko is presented as another significant example of the company’s contribution to global public health.

One of the report’s key messages is that Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry is not only meeting domestic healthcare needs but also playing an important role in making life-saving treatments more accessible to patients across the developing world. Through Triko, Beximco Pharmaceuticals has created a treatment option that represents hope for many families living with cystic fibrosis.

The New York Times portrays the initiative not merely as a business achievement, but as a notable example of Bangladesh’s contribution to advancing global health equity.