Union health ministry has approved the BPaLM regimen, consisting of four drugs – Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid and Moxifloxacin
India’s ambitious target of eliminating TB by 2025 – five years short of the global 2030 goal – received a boost on Friday when the Union health ministry approved a new, shorter regimen for drug resistant TB. The BPaLM regimen, consists of four drugs – Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid and Moxifloxacin.
It is an important decision that will impact the large numbers of cases of drug resistant TB that are reported in the country and help recover some lost ground after the disruptions in TB control measures caused by the COVID19 pandemic. Medibulletin takes you through the decision and why it is important.
What is this new regimen?
The BPaLM regimen, according to a statement issued by the government of India soon after the approval, has been proven to be safe, more effective and a quicker treatment option. Traditional MDR-TB treatments can last up to 20 months with severe side effects including kidney ailments, hearing loss, psychiatric problems, hepatitis and in some cases even epileptic seizures.
The BPaLM regimen can cure the drug-resistant TB in just six months with a high treatment success rate.
What is the number of patients that this decision will impact?
The Union health ministry estimates that the decision will impact 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients in the country who will be eligible to use this shorter regimen. There will also be significant cost saving. will now be able to avail benefit of this shorter regimen. With the other advantages, there will be an overall saving in cost. A country-wide time-bound roll out plan of the BPaLM regimen is being prepared by the Central TB Division of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in consultation with States/UTs, which includes rigorous capacity building of health professionals for safe administration of the new regimen.
How big is India’s TB burden?
India has among the highest burden of tuberculosis in the world, accounting for 27% of the global load. “ndia has the highest burden of TB with two deaths occuring every three minutes from tuberculosis (TB). But these deaths can be prevented. With proper care and treatment, TB patients can be cured and the battle against TB can be won,” says the World Health Organisation.
What is India’s accelerated TB elimination deadline?
Globally elimination of tuberculosis deadline as prescribed by WHO’s End TB strategy is 2030. However in 2018 prime minister Narendra Modi committed that India would meet that goal by 2025, five years ahead of the global deadline. However the COVID19 pandemic caused several disruptions in those efforts but with sustained detection and treatment, India remains hopeful of achieving that target.
