A new tuberculosis test that can confirm a diagnosis in less than two hours will be sold to more than 100 poor nations at a 75 percent discount -- $17 instead of $67 -- officials at the Swiss-based Foundation for Innovative and New Diagnostics announced Wednesday.
The foundation negotiated the reduced price with manufacturer Cepheid after the company realized the poor countries or international donors could not afford the original price, the Associated Press reported. A number of donors are considering introducing the test in India and South Africa. The current standard test takes up to three months to confirm a TB diagnosis. The World Health Organization believes the new test, introduced in September, could revolutionize TB treatment, the AP reported.
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