Key changes in the treatment of multiresistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis

On August 17, 2018, the WHO (Geneva) released “Rapid Communication: Key changes to treatment of multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis.”

The document shows immediate steps to be taken to ensure that patients with MDR/RR-TB receive qualitative, effective and safe treatment based on evidence-based medicine. The report introduces key principles of tuberculosis treatment; medicines are newly ranked according to the priority of their use in regimens; a model for the compilation of regimens is presented. According to the recommendations, oral regimens are preferred over injectable agents.

The results of the STREAM Stage 1 trial, which previously demonstrated the successful use of shorter regimens, were also presented.

By the end of 2018, the next steps will be as follows: updating the Companion Handbook to WHO guidelines for the programmatic management of drug-resistant tuberculosis and establishing a Task Force to coordinate the support to national TB programs in their rapid transition to key changes envisaged.

To find more information, please follow the link below:

http://www.who.int/tb/publications/2018/rapid_communications_MDR/en/