India has been warned by the World Health Organization (WHO) about its huge TB burden globally. Due to rising cases of multi-drug resistance and extensive drug resistance, the Drug Controller General of India has restricted the sale of four key TB drugs to control the growing threat of drug resistance. The restricted drugs are:
-
Bedaquiline
-
Delamanid
-
Pretomanid
-
Rifapentine
These drugs will now be categorized under Schedule H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, requiring:
-
Prescription-only sale: They cannot be sold without a prescription.
-
Record-keeping: Pharmacists must maintain records for three years.
Other government initiatives include :
-
TB elimination by 2025: India’s target, while WHO’s target is 2030.
-
Strengthening community support: Initiatives like TB Nikshay Mitra.
-
Increasing public-private coordination: Collaboration to combat TB.
The restriction aims to prevent misuse and ensure these critical medications are used effectively to combat TB.