India Approves New Treatment for Drug-Resistant TB
- 09 Sep 2024
On 6th September 2024, the Union Health Ministry has approved the introduction of the BPaLM regimen, a more effective and quicker treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis, aiming to eliminate TB by 2025.
Key Points
- Introduction of the BPaLM Regimen: The BPaLM regimen, consisting of Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin, has been introduced as a safer, faster, and more efficient treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis.
- Faster and More Effective Treatment: Unlike traditional treatments that can take up to 20 months, the BPaLM regimen can cure drug-resistant TB in just six months, offering a higher success rate and fewer side effects.
- National TB Elimination Programme: The new regimen has been incorporated into India’s National TB Elimination Programme as part of the country’s goal to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, five years ahead of the global target.
- Availability for Drug-Resistant TB Patients: India’s 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients will benefit from the shorter, more efficient BPaLM treatment, which will also result in significant cost savings.
- Pretomanid’s Approval in India: Pretomanid, a key component of the regimen, has already been approved for use in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), further bolstering the country’s anti-TB efforts.
- India’s Extensive TB Laboratory Network: India boasts the world’s largest TB laboratory network, with 7,767 rapid molecular testing facilities and 87 drug susceptibility testing laboratories to support the fight against TB.
- Global Leadership in TB Elimination: India’s adoption of the BPaLM regimen positions the country as a leader in the global effort to eliminate tuberculosis, significantly improving the standard of care for drug-resistant TB patients.
