A new study from India has shown that using shorter, all-oral treatments for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) can improve health and save money at the same time.

Fast Track the Cure held a webinar to kick-off the next chapter marking an exciting new era in its global effort to accelerate and expand access to shorter, more effective drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) treatments. Moderated by James Malar of the Stop TB Partnership, Fast Track the Cure 2.0 - From Awareness to Access: Communities Leading the Way brought together participants from around the world to hear from a newly expanded group of implementing partners.

The Fast Track the Cure initiative is proud to enter its next phase with its support of a new group of community-based partners. This chapter brings together powerful voices from across the globe, including ASPAT (Peru), Dopasi Foundation (Pakistan), Nari Maitree (Bangladesh), REACH (India), and TB Network (Nigeria).

The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly opened with a powerful speech from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighting key milestones in global health, including the impact of six-month DR-TB treatments.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has begun rolling out the six-month, WHO-endorsed BPaL/M treatment regimens for DR-TB. This change is expected to improve treatment experiences and outcomes, and save money.

25% price reduction of key DR-TB drug, pretomanid, announced by TB Alliance, Lupin Limited, and Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility (GDF). Pretomanid price falls below $1 per day; BPaLM price falls below $2 per day.

Fast Track the Cure will now be covering news blog style — offering its own perspectives on global developments relating to expanding access to faster, safer, more effective TB cures. Link to news archive can be found here.