Progress in global rollout of new multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatments

SETTING: The global multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) epidemic has grown over the past decade and continues to be difficult to manage. In response, new drugs and treatment regimens have been recommended.OBJECTIVE: In 2017 and again in 2018, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) drug-resistant (DR) TB Working Group collaborated with RESIST-TB to implement an internet survey to members of The Union around the world to assess access to these new treatment strategies.DESIGN: A nine-question survey was developed using SurveyMonkey^®. The survey was open for participation to all members of The Union registered under the TB Section. Two reminders were sent during each survey. The responses were analyzed taking into account the WHO Region to which the respondent belonged.RESULTS: The 2018 survey showed a global increase in implementation of the shorter (9-month) MDR-TB regimen (from 33% to 56% of respondents, P < 0.001) and an increase in the use of bedaquiline and/or delamanid (from 25% to 41% of respondents, P < 0.001) compared to 2017. There were substantial variations in roll-out between WHO regions.CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate improvement in global implementation of the new treatment strategies over a 1-year period.