Media reports claiming shortage of anti-TB medicines are false: Government

"There have been some media reports claiming a shortage of anti-TB drugs in India. Such reports are false, misleading, motivated and seem deliberately intended to deceive and misguide people", said the official statement.

The treatment of drug-sensitive tuberculosis consists of two months of four drugs available as 4FDC (Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide) followed by two months of three drugs available as 3 FDC (Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Ethambutol).

All these drugs are available with sufficient stocks for time periods ranging from six months and above. The procurement process for these drugs for FY 2024-25 has also been started already, it said.

According to the statement, the treatment regimen of multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB consists of usually four months of seven drugs (bedaquiline, levofloxacin, clofazimine, isoniazid, ethambutol, pyrazinamide and ethionamide) followed by five months of four drugs (levofloxacin, clofazimine, pyrazinamide and ethambutol).

In about 30% of persons with drug-resistant TB, cycloserine and linezolid is required. Patients who are taking multidrug-resistant TB medicines form only 2.5% of the total TB-affected population. However, even for this group, there is no shortage, as reported, the statement added.

Procurement, storage, maintenance of stock and in-time distribution of anti-TB drugs and other materials are being done at the Central level under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).

In rare situations, states are requested to procure a few drugs locally for a limited period by utilizing the budget under the National Health Mission (NHM) so that individual patient care is not affected, according to the official statement.

"As such, more than 15 months stocks of Moxifloxacin 400mg and Pyridoxine are available under NTEP. Also, Delamanid 50 mg and Clofazimine 100 mg were procured in August 2023 and supplied to all states and UTs. In addition to this, P.O. has been issued on 23.09.2023 for the supply of an additional 8 lakh quantity of Delamanid 50 mg tablets", the official statement said.

In addition, the purchase orders were issued for the supply of three FDC(P), Linezolid-600mg and Cap Cycloserine-250 mg in August 2023.

Pre-Dispatch Inspection (PDI) for three FDC(P), Linezolid-600mg and Cap Cycloserine-250 mg and Quality Test reports for 3 FDC(P) and Cycloserine have come. These drugs are being dispatched to the states. Release Orders are being issued from September 25, 2023, onwards, it added. (ANI)