India Introduces Shorter, More Effective BPaLM Regimen for Drug-Resistant TB

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Sept. Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare approved the introduction of the BPaLM regimen, a new and shorter treatment for Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB), under the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP).

The BPaLM regimen, which includes Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and optionally Moxifloxacin, has been validated as a safer, more effective alternative to the previous MDR-TB treatments.

The BPaLM regimen promises to reduce the treatment duration from up to 20 months to just six months, offering a high success rate and fewer side effects. This advancement will benefit approximately 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients in India, providing them with a more efficient and cost-effective treatment option.

The new regimen, approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), underwent rigorous validation by the Department of Health & Family Welfare in consultation with the Department of Health Research. A nationwide roll-out plan is being prepared by the Central TB Division, including capacity-building for healthcare professionals.

The NTEP, previously known as the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), aims to eliminate TB in India by 2025, five years ahead of the global target. This vision was emphasized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and supported by various initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) and the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative.

India’s extensive TB laboratory network, with 7,767 rapid molecular testing facilities and 87 culture & drug susceptibility testing labs, will support the timely detection and treatment of MDR-TB, driving the country’s progress towards ending TB.