In a landmark initiative, to curb the menace of tuberculosis (TB) epidemic across the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) have come together and signed a Joint Statement on the role of Pharmacists in tuberculosis care and control, at  Hyderabad.

As an effort to control the spread of tuberculosis and its multi-drug resistant variants, the joint statement proposes a series of measures to help detect TB, offer treatment support to patients, and to substantially reduce the number of deaths from the disease. This would be achieved by encouraging the FIP’s network of two million pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists around the world to become fully engaged in TB care and control.

Among the infectious diseases across the globe, Tuberculosis is one of the world’s biggest killers that caused 1.7 million deaths in 2009, of which three lakh deaths were recorded from India alone. In fact, the disease can be cured if the patients take a complete six months course of prescribed medicines. Since pharmacists are often the first point of contact for people with TB symptoms—their front line role is critical.

Welcoming the new accord with FIP, Dr Hiroki Nakatani, assistant director general for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, WHO, said, “Pharmacists can act as gatekeepers for vital TB health services. WHO welcomes the fact that further collaboration with the Federation’s network of Pharmacists will help many people with TB gain early access to the care and treatment they need.” The statement also calls for providing patients-centred treatment; to help prevent multi- drug resistant TB and promoting the rational use of anti-TB medicines through procuring and dispensing quality.

The President of FIP, Dr Michel Buchman said, “The new pact not only recognizes the broader role of pharmacists in the development and use of anti-TB medicines, but also their direct involvement in the care of people with TB. The International Pharmaceutical Federation will endeavour to support WHO and their Member States in enabling national tuberculosis programmes and national pharmacy associations to strengthen their collaboration towards care and control of TB and multi-drug-resistant-TB globally.”

The landmark WHO/FIP Joint Statement - Engaging Pharmacists in TB Care and Control - calls on TB programmes and pharmacy associations to engage pharmacists and use their untapped potential in the fight against TB by increasing awareness of TB, and refer people with TB symptoms to facilities with quality diagnosis and treatment.

It also calls for providing patient-centred treatment supervision to promote adherence and help prevent multi-drug-resistant TB. Further the statement also gives significance to promote the rational use of anti-TB medicines through two methods, by procuring and dispensing quality-assured medicines and fixed-dose combinations recommended by WHO and by prohibiting the sale of anti-TB medicines over the counter, or without prescription.

“The contribution that the federation's network of pharmacists can make in the fight against TB cannot be overstated. Pharmacists can become important players in the push to achieve our ultimate goal - the goal of a world free of TB,” said Dr Mario Raviglione, director, Stop TB Department, WHO.