The potential distraction of a pan-regimen approach to TB

A comment, authored by Dr. Jennifer Furin (Harvard Medical School, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine) and Oxana Rucsineanu (Moldova National Association of TB Patients “SMIT”; Global TB CAB member), reflects on a modelling study assessing the potential health and economic impact of a pan-TB regimen, based on data from three countries with a high TB burden, published in The Lancet Global Health.

“The promise of a pan-tuberculosis regimen is a potential distraction from work that needs to be done to equitably end the global tuberculosis pandemic. A purely biomedical solution to tuberculosis risks being a smokescreen that could generate as many problems as it appears to solve. Rather, there is a dire need for person-centred principles to form the basis of tuberculosis therapeutic development (panel). We ignore the individuality of each person impacted by tuberculosis at our peril. They not only deserve new drugs but also investment in the human-centred response that they are asking for.”

Access the full comment, ‘The potential distraction of a pan-regimen approach to tuberculosis’, here (open access).

Access the full modelling study, ‘Projected health and economic effects of a pan-tuberculosis treatment regimen: a modelling study’, here (open access).

* Image: Dr. Jennifer Furin (left), Oxana Rucsineanu (right)

For more TB updates, check out the TB CAB Weekly Newsletter (#3, 25 September 2024).

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