New Article Highlights How Community Leadership Can Help Turn TB Innovation into Impact
A new article in the latest tuberculosis newsletter from the Open Source Pharma Foundation highlights how community-led programs can help ensure that advances in tuberculosis (TB) treatment translate into meaningful improvements for people affected by the disease.
“Bridging Scientific Innovation and Community Action to Create Impact” was authored by Akshaya Patil of TB Alliance, Anupama Srinivasan of REACH India, and Dr. Ramya Ananthakrishnan of REACH India. It appears in an issue focused on “delivery”—turning scientific advances against TB into real-world impact.
The article draws on a Fast Track the Cure-supported project implemented by REACH India from May 2025 through March 2026 across five Indian states. The initiative paired access to newer, shorter drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) treatments with community education, survivor leadership, and peer support.
Across the five states, the project trained 102 TB Champions, reached nearly 59,000 people through community meetings and campaign activities, and provided direct peer support to 433 people with DR-TB—including 303 receiving BPaLM, a newer, shorter treatment regimen.
The project also highlighted an important gap between scientific progress and community awareness. Among 1,146 people surveyed, only 38.1% had heard of BPaLM or shorter DR-TB regimens, underscoring the need for trusted community messengers who can make information about new treatments understandable and actionable.
TB Champions helped bridge that gap by sharing information about DR-TB and newer treatments, addressing fear and stigma, and providing peer support to people navigating care. Qualitative feedback suggested that their support helped make treatment more manageable, reinforced adherence, addressed practical barriers, and helped people remain connected to services.
The experience reinforces the importance and value of Fast Track the Cure’s commitment to equip and empower communities to be active partners in introducing new TB technologies.