In a significant step towards eradicating Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has approved the implementation of a novel treatment regimen, BPaLM, for Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). This innovative approach, comprising four drugs—Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin—has proven to be more effective, safer, and quicker than traditional treatment methods.

Historically, MDR-TB treatment lasted up to 20 months and posed severe side effects. However, the newly introduced BPaLM regimen offers a shorter, six-month treatment plan with significantly higher success rates. Patients who previously endured long treatment cycles will now benefit from this faster and more cost-effective option. It is expected to benefit India’s 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients, thus saving both time and resources.
Pretomanid, a key drug in the BPaLM combination, has been licensed for use by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Thorough validation of the regimen by in-country experts and a Health Technology Assessment ensured that the treatment is safe and offers cost-effective solutions for patients and healthcare providers alike.

This initiative aligns with the government’s mission to eliminate TB five years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target, originally set for 2030. The National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) will spearhead the rollout of this regimen across India, with rigorous capacity building and training for healthcare professionals.

India, which houses the largest TB laboratory network globally, is well-equipped to support this initiative. With nearly 7,800 rapid molecular testing facilities and over 80 culture & drug susceptibility testing labs, the country is set to ensure timely diagnosis and quick treatment initiation for TB patients, strengthening its fight against this deadly disease.

The approval of the BPaLM regimen underlines the government’s commitment to improving health outcomes and eliminating TB, as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Delhi End TB Summit in 2018. This strategic intervention is expected to accelerate India’s journey toward becoming TB-free by 2025.

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