Health Ministry approves new treatment regimen for multidrug-resistant TB

• The new BPaLM regimen consisting of four drugs — Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid and Moxifloxacin — has proven to be a safe, more effective and quicker treatment option than previous procedures

Highlights:

• The Union Health Ministry has approved the introduction of a new treatment regimen for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in India.
• The BPaLM regimen, consisting of four drugs — Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin, offers a safer, more effective, and quicker alternative to the existing treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

India’s Target for TB Elimination:

• India is working towards eliminating TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global target under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• In line with this objective, the Ministry has introduced the BPaLM regimen under the National TB Elimination Programme.
• This new treatment includes Pretomanid, an anti-TB drug recently approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for use in India.

Advantages of the BPaLM Regimen:

• The traditional treatment for MDR-TB can last up to 20 months and comes with severe side effects. In contrast, the BPaLM regimen offers the following advantages:
  • Shorter duration: Cures drug-resistant TB in just six months.
  • Higher success rate: Demonstrates greater effectiveness compared to older treatments.
  • Cost savings: Reduces the overall cost of treatment.
• Around 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients in India will benefit from this new regimen.

India’s TB Laboratory Network:

• India boasts the world’s largest TB laboratory network, featuring:
  • 7,767 rapid molecular testing facilities
  • 87 culture and drug susceptibility testing laboratories
• This network supports the detection and treatment of TB across the country, enhancing the effectiveness of the new regimen.

Prelims Takeaways:

• Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)