Treatment Action Group (TAG), the Global TB Community Advisory Board (TB CAB), the Drug-Resistant TB Treatment Scale-up Action Team (DR-TB STAT) and TB Proof hosted a webinar on 16 August 2018 on implementing an injectable-free regimen for drug-resistant TB.
The participants discussed the evidence for and importance of using bedaquiline-based, injectable-free regimens for drug-resistant TB. Perspectives from an implementing country — South Africa, a country considering implementation — Kenya, and a survivor of TB and hearing loss — Phumeza Tisile, were featured. Speakers discussed the rationale for roll out, and impact of injectable-free regimens, implementation considerations, and the importance of considering patients’ preferences and avoiding injectable drug-induced hearing loss.
In an exciting update, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a Rapid Communication recommending injectable-free, bedaquiline-based regimens on 17 August 2018.
TAG and the TB CAB have issued a statement welcoming the recommendation of injectable-free, bedaquiline-based regimens, encouraging their scale up, and urging WHO and partners to address key concerns regarding the continued recommendation of the shorter regimen and the practical implementation of these new policy changes in the immediate short-term and beyond.
Materials from the webinar are now available online and can be accessed here.
Source: Treatment Action Group