Tribune News Service
Patiala, July 15
In an effort to eradicate TB in the state, the Punjab Government will launch an “exclusive” drug.
In fact, to tackle the drug-resistant tuberculosis, Bedaquiline, an antitubercular agent for the treatment of the disease will be launched here on Monday.
Currently, there are 22,000 patients in the state, who are on directly observed treatment (DOT) therapy. Of them, 400 patients are afflicted with drug-resistant TB. Bedaquiline, a third generation medicine, is exclusively used for the extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDRTB) cases.
However, Bedaquiline is said to have a lot of side effects. Therefore, out of 400, only 77 patients are deemed medically fit for administering the drug. In the first phase, 22 patients from TB Hospital, Patiala, will be put on the medicine for the treatment. Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra told The Tribune that: “With the launch of this highly-effective drug, we are inching closer to eradicating TB from the state by 2022 — three years ahead of the national target of 2025.”
Before this, the use of the “wonder” drug — Bedaquiline — has been launched in five cities only — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati, and Ahmedabad
It is pertinent to mention that one Bedaquiline tablet costs Rs 5,000. Moreover, each patient is given around 188 tablets to complete the treatment course. However, the Punjab Government will be giving it for free to extremely drug-resistant patients.
After Patiala, the state Health Department will launch the drug at Government Medical College, Amritsar, and GGS Medical College, Faridkot.
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