New Study: Shorter DR-TB Treatments Deliver Improved Health and Economic Gains

Economic benefit to implementing six-month DR-TB treatments estimated at US$1 billion in South Africa and over US$800 million over next five years

A new study from South Africa and the Philippines shows that six-month, all-oral BPaL/M regimens for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) outperform older approaches—both medically and financially. Compared with the 9–11 month short oral regimen, BPaL/M cuts the cost per successful treatment by 20–25% in South Africa and 9–11% in the Philippines.

People on BPaL/M are more likely to be cured, and to complete likely treatment. Because more people complete care, upfront budgets may rise modestly—but this investment pays off quickly. Over five years, the economic benefit is estimated at nearly US$1 billion in South Africa and more than US$800 million in the Philippines, far outweighing the costs.