India Introduces New TB Treatment to Eliminate Disease by 2025
New Delhi, India – September 6: Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rid the country of tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved the introduction of the BPaLM regimen. This new treatment is part of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) and is designed to be a highly effective and shorter treatment option for multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
What is the BPaLM Regimen?
The BPaLM regimen includes a new anti-TB drug called Pretomanid, combined with Bedaquiline, Linezolid, and sometimes Moxifloxacin. Pretomanid has already been approved for use in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). This combination of drugs has been proven to be safer, more effective, and quicker than previous treatments for MDR-TB.
Benefits of the New Treatment
Traditional MDR-TB treatments can last up to 20 months and often come with severe side effects. In contrast, the BPaLM regimen can cure drug-resistant TB in just six months with a high success rate. This new treatment will benefit India’s 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients and is expected to save costs overall.
Government’s Role and Future Plans
The Department of Health and Family Welfare, along with the Department of Health Research, has validated this new treatment regimen through a thorough review by subject experts. A Health Technology Assessment was also conducted to ensure the treatment’s safety and cost-effectiveness.
The Government of India is preparing a country-wide rollout plan for the BPaLM regimen, which includes training health professionals for its safe administration. This move is expected to significantly boost India’s progress towards its goal of eliminating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target set by the Sustainable Development Goals.
Background
The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), previously known as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), aims to strategically reduce the TB burden in India by 2025. This vision was first articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Delhi End TB Summit in March 2018.
Doubts Revealed
TB -: TB stands for Tuberculosis, which is a disease caused by bacteria that usually affects the lungs. It can make people very sick and is spread through the air when someone with TB coughs or sneezes.
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare -: This is a part of the Indian government that takes care of health and family-related issues in the country. They make decisions about healthcare policies and programs.
BPaLM regimen -: The BPaLM regimen is a new combination of medicines used to treat a tough type of TB called multi-drug-resistant TB. It includes drugs like Pretomanid, Bedaquiline, Linezolid, and sometimes Moxifloxacin.
multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) -: MDR-TB is a type of TB that does not get better with the usual medicines. It needs special treatments because the bacteria have become strong against regular drugs.
National TB Elimination Programme -: This is a program by the Indian government to get rid of TB in the country. They work on finding, treating, and preventing TB to make sure fewer people get sick.
Pretomanid -: Pretomanid is a new medicine used to treat TB, especially the tough kinds that don’t respond to regular treatment. It helps kill the TB bacteria.
Bedaquiline -: Bedaquiline is another medicine used to treat TB. It works by stopping the TB bacteria from making energy, which helps to kill them.
Linezolid -: Linezolid is a medicine that helps treat infections, including TB. It stops the bacteria from making proteins they need to grow.
Moxifloxacin -: Moxifloxacin is an antibiotic that can be used to treat TB. It helps kill the bacteria causing the infection.
global target -: The global target is a goal set by countries around the world to get rid of TB by a certain year. The current global target is to eliminate TB by 2030.