July 09, 2026 03:31 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Government to roll out new drug for treatment of drug-resistant TB
New Delhi, Mar 21 (IBNS) The central government is launching a drug called Bedaquiline on Monday for the treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB), according to media reports.
Dubbed a 'miracle drug', Bedaquiline (trade name Sirturo) is the first TB drug to be approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in over 40 years.
The project is part of a coordinated programme between the government and Johnson & Johnson and has been rolled out under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme; Janssen, a pharma unit under Johnson & Johnson has manufactured the drug.
The drug will be made available in six public hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati and Ahmedabad, according to reports.
In an exclusive interview to Times of India, Sanjiv Navangul, Janssen India MD, said, "We are ready with the roll-out of the drug through the government-run control programme, for which 600 patients will be enrolled across the country, over the next six to nine months, after the required tests. Upon the review of clinical data after two years, the access programme will be expanded nationwide."
As per World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2015, deaths due to TB were estimated in India to be 2,20,000 in 2014, which is higher than any other country.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Could exercise be the secret to slowing cancer? Scientists uncover powerful muscle link
Tue, Jul 07 2026
Can your muscles protect your heart? New study says yes
Mon, Jul 06 2026
Doctor reveals shocking truth: Losing just 5 kg can cut knee pressure by 20 kg per step!
Sat, Jul 04 2026
Study reveals unexpected trend: Blood pressure and cholesterol levels in adults over 40 with obesity increasingly similar to adults with normal BMI
Fri, Jul 03 2026
Want to lose weight? Health expert shares her three simple rules
Wed, Jul 01 2026