Centre Approves Introduction of BPaLM Treatment Regimen for Drug-Resistant TB
Overview
The Union ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) has approved introduction of the much anticipated BPaLM regimen consisting of four-drug combination – bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid and moxifloxacin - for multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) as a highly effective and shorter treatment option. The move is expected to significantly boost the country’s progress to achieve its national goal of Ending TB in India.
The Drug Regimen
The drug regimen includes a new anti-TB drug namely pretomanid in combination with bedaquiline & linezolid (with/without moxifloxacin).
Pretomanid has earlier been approved and licensed for use in India by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
The BPaLM regimen has been proven to be safe, more effective and a quicker treatment option than the previous MDR-TB treatment procedure.
Plans for BPaLM Regimen
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.
Comparison Between Both Treatments
While traditional MDR-TB treatments can last up to 20 months with severe side effects, BPaLM regimen can cure the drug-resistant TB in just six months with high treatment success rate.
India’s 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients will now be able to avail benefit of this shorter regimen.
With the other advantages, there will be an overall saving in cost, said the Ministry.
Department of health & family welfare, in consultation with department of health research ensured validation of this new TB treatment regimen that witnessed a thorough review of evidences by in-country subject experts. Department of health & family welfare has also got a Health Technology Assessment done through the Department of Health Research to ensure that this MDR-TB treatment option is safe and cost effective.
About NTEP
The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) has been working towards achieving its aim to strategically reduce TB burden in India by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2020, the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) was renamed as the NTEP to emphasise the aim of the Government of India to eliminate TB in India by 2025.
It reached over a billion people in 632 districts/reporting units and is responsible for carrying out the Government of India’s five-year National Strategic Plans for TB elimination along with the States/UTs.
The National Strategic Plan TB Elimination
The National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination was launched to achieve the target of ending TB by 2025 in a mission mode.
It is a multi-pronged approach that aims to detect all TB patients with an emphasis on reaching TB patients seeking care from private providers and undiagnosed TB in high-risk populations.
Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST) is implemented under the NTEP to ensure every diagnosed TB patient is tested to rule out drug resistance before or at the time of treatment initiation itself.
World’s largest TB Laboratory Network
India has the world’s largest TB laboratory network with 7,767 rapid molecular testing facilities and 87 culture & drug susceptibility testing laboratories spread across the length & breadth of the country.
This widespread laboratory network is expected to support in timely detection of MDR-TB and quick initiation of TB treatment.
Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative
A couple of years back, President of India, Droupadi Murmu launched the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative to ensure additional diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support to those on TB treatment, and encouraged elected representatives, corporates, NGOs, and individuals to come forward as donors to help the patients complete their journey towards recovery.
The Ni-kshay 2.0 portal facilitates in providing additional patient support to improve the treatment outcome of TB patients, augmenting community involvement in meeting India’s commitment to end TB by 2025 and leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility opportunities.