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Tuberculosis: TB i.e. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease. It is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These bacteria spread through air and infect the lungs. Even though TB is an infectious disease, it does not spread easily. When a person stays around an infected person for a long time, he can become vulnerable to the disease.
Its bacteria usually affect the lungs. However, sometimes other organs including the spinal cord, brain or kidney can also be affected. India has set a target of completely eliminating TB by the year 2025, but lack of medicines is coming in the way. Know what is the whole matter…
When will TB be eliminated in India?
Last month, WHO said that TB cases in India have reduced by 18% in the last 10 years, which is the highest in the world. During this period, deaths have also decreased by 24%, which is 23% more than the global average. The Indian government is working towards completely eliminating TB by the year 2025, but one of the biggest problems has come to the fore. The Indian Express reports that as per the record, there has been a decline in the supply of key TB medicines from 2023.
What is the whole matter?
According to the report, India’s TB treatment program has two phases. For the first two-three months, an attempt is made to cure the patient with a combination tablet of four antibiotics. Secondly, the patient is given another combination medicine with three antibiotics for four to seven months. These are called fixed dose combination (FDC) medicines. There has been a decline in the supply of FDC medicines from the data center for 2022, 2023 and 2024.
If we compare 2023 and 2022, there has been a decline of 56.5 percent in the supply of medicines for the first phase. During this period there has been a decline of 23 percent for the second phase. This year, data available till June shows, there has been a decline of 23.04 per cent in supply for the first phase and 28.8 per cent for the second phase compared to the first six months of 2023.
Why is there shortage in supply of TB medicine?
Actually, the Nodal Purchase Agency has canceled 9 out of its 26 tenders to purchase these medicines due to administrative reasons. Apart from this, three suppliers have been blacklisted for issues ranging from fake bank guarantees to fixing wrong prices.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare did not respond to detailed questions from The Indian Express on the shortage situation, but in a letter sent by the ministry to the states in March this year, it was said that TB medicines would be delayed due to some reasons. In this, states were instructed to purchase them locally for three months with no restrictions on size or formulation. It has been said that if the district health facilities are not able to provide free medicines on the basis of TB case, then the patient will be given money for the medicines.
What is Mission 2025 to eliminate TB?
During the ‘End TB Summit’ in New Delhi in March 2018, the government fixed the time till 2025 to eradicate this disease. According to the latest data of WHO, there are estimated to be 27 lakh TB cases in India in 2023, out of which 25.1 lakh patients i.e. 85 percent were receiving medicine. This is also a big achievement. Treatment of drug-susceptible TB (DSTB) mainly consists of antibiotics for 6 to 9 months for new patients. Apart from this, in severe cases, rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol are given daily. These pills can be based on age, infection level and treatment history. Its treatment is free in government hospitals and in private hospitals one has to pay around Rs 10,000 for 6 months and Rs 20-30 thousand every month for medicines.
Where do TB medicines come from?
In the government’s mission to end TB, the Center is responsible for the procurement and supply of TB medicines, while states are given limited funds to purchase emergency medicines as a temporary measure. Stock is maintained at the district, state and national levels for three months and at the block level for two months. Experts say that the buffer stock is extremely important, because people who miss taking prescribed drugs can increase the risk of drug-resistant TB.
Which state has the highest number of TB patients?
The reported TB cases are UP- 6.3 lakh, Maharashtra- 2.27 lakh, Bihar- 1.86 lakh, Madhya Pradesh- 1.84 lakh and Rajasthan- 1.65 lakh. Overall, India accounts for 26 percent of TB cases and 29 percent of TB deaths worldwide. Despite this, there is a shortage of TB medicines in many states.
Disclaimer: Some of the information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you must consult the concerned expert.
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