The Indian government has approved a new, shorter treatment for multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This new regimen, called BPaLM, combines four drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and optionally Moxifloxacin.
It can cure MDR-TB in just six months, compared to the traditional 20-month treatment. This treatment is safer, more effective, and cheaper.
India’s National TB Elimination Program aims to eliminate TB by 2025, and this new regimen will benefit the country’s 75,000 MDR-TB patients.
The BPaLM regimen is not only shorter but also safer and more effective, with a higher success rate compared to previous treatments. This advancement will greatly benefit the 75,000 patients in India who suffer from MDR-TB. It also reduces the overall cost of treatment for both the healthcare system and patients.
India’s National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) aims to eradicate tuberculosis by 2025. This program has already reached over a billion people across 632 districts, working in collaboration with states and union territories. The country is equipped with the world’s largest TB laboratory network, including 7,767 rapid molecular testing facilities and 87 culture and drug susceptibility testing laboratories.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. TB can cause severe lung damage and spread to other organs, leading to serious health complications if left untreated. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent severe outcomes.
Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) occurs when the TB bacteria become resistant to the two most effective drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin. The new BPaLM regimen represents a major step forward in treating this challenging form of TB, offering hope for a quicker and more effective cure.
References
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/union-health-ministry-approves-new-treatment-for-multi-drug-resistant-tb/article68613526.ece
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2052515
https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2023/featured-topics/new-treatment-tb