Bangladesh has taken a powerful step forward in the fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). The country’s National Tuberculosis Program (NTP), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), has officially begun the national rollout of the six-month, all-oral BPaL/BPaLM regimen.

A study finds the six-month BPaLM regimen is cost-effective even when used without companion drug sensitivity testing across Georgia, India, the Philippines, and South Africa. With only ~55% receiving FQ resistance testing, treating now can speed access and save lives.

New projections from Johns Hopkins University find that by 2034, the BPaL/M treatment regimens will reach more than 2 million people, save nearly 200,000 more lives than using previous medicines, and save the world about $1.3M. BPaL/M has scaled more quickly than traditional new global health technologies, due in part to initiatives like Fast Track the Cure.

A programmatic review of more than 200 people in Nigeria treated with BPaL/M, found 89% treatment success rates among with MDR/RR-TB and 100% for the smaller pre-XDR cohort. Fast Track the Cure implementing partner, TB Reach, is supporting BPaL/M roll out in Nigeria through community-led monitoring, providing services for people receiving treatment, and education and advocacy campaigns designed to accelerate uptake of new DR-TB treatment regimens.

A new study confirms that six-month BPaL/M regimens for drug-resistant TB save lives and money. Compared to longer treatments, they cut costs per cure, boost completion rates, and are projected to deliver nearly US$1 billion in economic benefits in South Africa and US$800 million in the Philippines within five years.

Lupin Limited was granted World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for its 200mg pretomanid tablet. This milestone marks another manufacturer entering the market and producing a key component of #6MonthsMax treatments. Multiple manufacturers help to ensure a stable, quality-ensured supply of pretomanid and foster competition, which ultimately further reduces price.

The PeerLINC Knowledge Hub hosted a weeklong capacity-building program for Bangladesh’s National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) managers to equip national leaders with the tools and knowledge to speed up the rollout of six-month BPaLM/BPaL regimens. Among the attendees was Dr. Khaled Bin Yousef, Director of Programmes at FTTC implementing partner, Nari Maitree.

A study from Indonesia shows the six-month, all-oral BPaL regimen for drug-resistant TB reduced treatment costs by 67% and increased treatment success by 18%, making it significantly more efficient cost effective. Backed by strong government leadership and a new partnership with TB Alliance, Indonesia is positioning itself as a global leader in advancing innovative, patient-friendly TB care.

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.