The signing of a joint statement between WHO and International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) on pharmacists’ role in TB care and control will generate more opportunities for pharmacists to use their  potential in the fight against TB control, according to Dr Subhash C Mandal, vice president, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Bengal Branch and Member, National Working Group, TB control.

FIP has signed the statement in the 71st convention of International Pharmaceutical Federation held in Hyderabad recently.

In a chat with Pharmabiz, the national working group member of TB control said, WHO and FIP urge national TB programmes and national pharmacy associations to develop and implement plans for engaging pharmacists in the fight against TB within the context of national health systems and services. The landmark joint statement seeking the co-operation of pharmacy associations will increase the awareness of TB and refer people with multi drug-resistant TB symptoms to facilities with quality diagnosis and treatment.

Engaging pharmacists will help promote the rational use of anti-TB medicines by procuring and dispensing quality-assured medicines and fixed-dose combinations recommended by WHO. Further, they will prohibit the sale of anti-TB medicines over the counter or without prescription. The associations of pharmacists will support the healthcare providers to rationalize and strengthen their TB management practices, he said over telephone.

According to Mandal, the TB control programmes and National Pharmacy Associations should provide joint stewardship in developing policy guidance and resource mobilization to engage pharmacists in TB care and control. The authorities should give orientation and training programs to pharmacists to enable their effective contribution to TB care and control, taking into account the local context.  To this effect, the training curricula of pharmacy students may require updating to incorporate current knowledge and practices in TB care and control activities. Likewise, facilities are needed for effective contribution of pharmacists to specific areas of the programme.

He said TB is one of the world's biggest infectious killers and caused 1.7 million deaths in 2009, and nearly 300,000 deaths in India. But it is also curable. Patients can be treated by completing a six month course of prescribed medicines.  And it is because pharmacists are often the first point of contact for people with TB symptoms, especially in countries with a high burden of TB.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a tubercle bacillus, is the causative agent of TB. It belongs to a group of closely related organisms—including M africanum, M bovis, and M microti in the M tuberculosis complex. Multiple factors contribute to the drug resistance of M tuberculosis.

A great deal of concerted effort is still required if the TB-related Millennium Development Goals are to be met by 2015 and the Stop TB Partnership's vision of a world free of TB is to be realized by 2050, Dr Mandal said.