The Central TB Division (CTD), which is part of the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has introduced two new guidelines for the early detection of tuberculosis (TB) in India.

These include mandatory TB test for all HIV cases, unlike the past when only serious HIV patients were tested for TB. The second guideline, which will come into force from April 1, 2009, calls for a two sputum test within two weeks of a cough that cannot be brought under control.

On the occasion of the World TB Day observed annually on March 24, with the theme 'I am stopping TB', the government through the CTD is looking at aggressive strategies for early detection of TB.

The new guideline which is already enforced a few weeks ago is an important one because more than 70 per cent of the HIV cases can contract TB because of low immunity levels. The second guideline, which will come into force from April 1, 2009, calls for a two sputum test within two weeks of a cough that cannot be brought under control. This will see 85 per cent of the cases having confirmed TB. The two guidelines will provide faster diagnosis and early treatment prescriptions, Dr Shashidar Buggi, secretary, Karnataka State TB Association and Superintendent, SDS TB and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases told Pharmabiz.

Earlier the CTD had asked for a three sputum tests after three weeks of pronounced symptoms but now the two week test will make a major difference in catching cases faster, added Dr Buggi.

CTD with the technical assistance of the World Health Organization is implementing the Government of India's Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) which is a comprehensive package for TB control. Its Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) along with the other components of the Stop TB strategy, implemented under RNTCP in the country is both cost-effective and an international standard for TB control programmes.

"TB is still is not under control and continues to be a major cause of concern despite allocation of funds, expertise with clinicians to detect. While efforts of research and testing facilities are springing up in the country for treatment, there is still no control of the dreaded disease which is affecting 10 lakh cases in India annually. The only way to ensure TB control is that along with government healthcare centres, private hospitals should come forward to implement RNTCP and DOTS," stated Dr Buggi.

We need to ensure that TB gets the same focus like HIV and Polio in the government agenda. TB is curable and there needs to be continued support to ensure that cases are detected at a faster pace. Although government is doing its bit, yet the country is witnessing 1,000 people dying a day with TB. DOTs is an important methodology where drug toxicity is less, the treatment is free and more effective. But now the two new guidelines could give the much-needed hope support for faster diagnosis, he said.

South Eat Asia accounts for 25 per cent of the world TB population of which 20 per cent are from India. There are 40,000 TB cases infected every day in the country. Around 5,000 new cases are diagnosed.

Present drug regimes are Cyclomycin, Rifampicin and Isoniazid to treat TB. Injections are Streptomycin, Amikacin, Kanamycin, and Capreomycin against Mycobacterium which is bacilli causing TB.

The pharma companies engaged in the development of TB drugs include Strides Arcolab, Panacea Biotec, Lupin and Samarath to name a few.