look news india
Treatment of TB: Effective treatment of TB will now be possible in just six months. The Union Health Ministry has approved a new treatment for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
This treatment combines a newer anti-TB drug called pretomanid with bedaquiline and linezolid (with or without moxifloxacin).
Conventional Treatment of MDR-TB
75,000 MDR-TB patients in India can benefit from this treatment method. Currently, conventional treatment for MDR-TB lasts for 20 months. It can also have side effects.
The health ministry has for treatment The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) has approved a highly effective treatment for TB called 'BPALM' for the TB patients. The 'BPALM' regimen consists of four drugs – pretomanid, bedaquiline and linezolid and moxifloxacin.
It is licensed
It is safer and more effective than other MDR-TB treatment methods. 'Pretomanid' has already been approved and licensed for use in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
New Treatments Approved
The BPALM method is quite effective. It can cure MDR-TB in just six months. The Department of Health and Family Welfare has approved this new treatment for TB after consultation with the Department of Health Research.
Towards TB free India by 2025
Before approval, these treatments have been thoroughly reviewed by experts across the country. It is worth noting that under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has set a target of becoming TB free by 2025.