Global Progress and Challenges in Implementing New Medications for Treating Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) treatment has been advanced by the approval of bedaquiline and delamanid.
• The World Health Organization recommends these new drugs for specific programmatic conditions.
• Global implementation of these vital TB medications has been slower than anticipated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the progress and challenges in the scale-up of bedaquiline and delamanid for multidrug-resistant TB treatment.
• To monitor the introduction of new TB drugs into global health programs.
• To identify barriers hindering the accessibility of novel TB treatments.

Main Methods:

• Formation of the DR-TB STAT task force in April 2015 to monitor drug introduction.
• Monthly collection and assessment of information from multiple sources.
• Tracking the number of patients receiving bedaquiline and delamanid under programmatic conditions.

Main Results:

• As of October 2015, 1,258 individuals were receiving bedaquiline under programmatic conditions.
• Over 100 patients received delamanid, but very few were under defined programmatic conditions.
• Significant disparities exist in the programmatic rollout of these new TB drugs.

Conclusions:

• Progress in introducing bedaquiline and delamanid for multidrug-resistant TB is evident but requires acceleration.
• Challenges in programmatic implementation limit widespread access to these life-saving TB drugs.
• Coordinated global efforts are essential to ensure timely and equitable access to novel TB treatments for all patients in need.