Ground Breaking Advancements in TB Treatment Regimen

A six-month-long duration of TB treatment under the DOTS programme is fraught with issues like non-compliance by patients, mix up of drugs, etc., contributing to the emergence of multi-drug-resistant TB. Shortening the duration of treatment has been a priority area in the TB drug discovery research efforts. In a recent Phase 3 clinical trial (Study 31/A5349), a 4-month regimen is as efficacious as the 6-month regimen for treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis in patients. This landmark breakthrough is expected to strengthen the global efforts for the elimination of TB by 2030.