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.
- Earlier, Pretomanid has been approved & licensed for use in India by CDSCO.
- It brings down treatment time to 6 months from earlier duration of 20 months.
- BPaLM regimen was introduced under National TB Elimination Programme and expected to boost the country’s progress to achieve its national goal of ending TB in India by 2025.
About Tuberculosis
- An infectious disease that most often affects lungs and is caused by bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
- Bacillle Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine provides immunity against TB.
- As per India TB Report 2024, there were 25.52 lakh notified TB patients in 2023.
Challenges in Tuberculosis Eradication
- Social Stigma leads to delayed diagnosis; High Treatment Costs, Comorbidities with HIV, diabetes; Lack of diagnostics facility in rural areas etc.
Other Initiatives taken for Tuberculosis Eradication
- Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan provides additional patient support, augment community involvement.
- Ni-kshay Mitra ensures additional diagnostic, nutritional, support to those on TB treatment.
- Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides financial support to TB patients for their nutrition.