New Treatment Regimen for Multidrug-Resistant TB Approved by Centre
- September 7, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
New Treatment Regimen for Multidrug-Resistant TB Approved by Centre
Sub: Sci
Sec: Health
Why in News
The Union Health Ministry of India has recently approved the introduction of a new treatment regimen for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This decision is part of India’s ongoing efforts to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, ahead of the global target outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Introduction of BPaLM Regimen: The Union Health Ministry approved the BPaLM regimen, a novel treatment for MDR-TB in India. This new regimen is part of the National TB Elimination Programme.
It has shown to be a safer, quicker, and more effective option compared to previous treatment methods.
Components of BPaLM Regimen:
- Pretomanid (a new anti-TB drug)
- Bedaquiline
- Linezolid
- Moxifloxacin (optional component)
What is Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious airborne bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. .
TB commonly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other parts (extrapulmonary TB)
Tuberculosis spreads from person to person through the air, when people who are infected with TB infection cough, sneeze or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air.
What is Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB):
In MDR-TB, the bacteria that cause TB develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs used to cure the disease.
MDR-TB does not respond to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, the 2 most powerful anti-TB drugs.
Treatment options for MDR-TB are limited and expensive.
CBNAAT (Cartridges Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) is used for early diagnosis of MDR-TB.
What is Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB):
XDR-TB is a form of multidrug-resistant TB with additional resistance to more anti-TB drugs.
People who are resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin, plus any fluoroquinolone and at least one of three injectable second-line drugs (amikacin, kanamycin, capreomycin) are said to have XDR-TB
India TB Report 2024
Mortality Rate Decline: Tuberculosis (TB) mortality declined from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 23 per lakh in 2022.
Increase in TB Cases: Estimated incidence of TB in 2023 rose slightly to 27.8 lakh from 27.4 lakh in 2022.
TB Cases by Source: Government health centres reported the majority of TB cases.
Private sector notifications rose significantly to 8.4 lakh cases (33% of total cases) in 2023, compared to only 1.9 lakh in 2015.
Mortality: TB-related deaths were consistent, with 3.2 lakh deaths in 2023. However, India witnessed a drop in TB mortality from 4.94 lakh (2021) to 3.31 lakh (2022).
Global Efforts to Eliminate TB
WHO Initiative: The “Find. Treat. All. #EndTB” initiative launched by WHO, Global Fund, and Stop TB Partnership aims to enhance global TB control.
Global Tuberculosis Report: Published annually by WHO to monitor progress in TB elimination.
Global Plan to End TB (2023-2030): A blueprint for ending TB as a public health challenge by 2030, adopted by all UN member states and aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3.3.
India’s Initiatives for TB Elimination
Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan: Focuses on eliminating TB by 2025.
National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination (2017-2025): Aims to achieve TB elimination through rapid diagnosis and treatment.
TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign: Public awareness campaign to fight TB.
Nikshay Poshan Yojana: Provides financial support to TB patients for nutritional needs.
RePORT India (2013): Collaborative research initiative under the Indo-US Vaccine Action Program to address TB at both national and global levels.
India aims to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target set under the SDGs.
The approval of the BPaLM regimen represents a significant step forward in India’s battle against MDR-TB. By offering faster and safer treatment, it will not only improve patient outcomes but also help the country in its mission to eradicate tuberculosis by 2025.