
Centre Plans To Restrict New TB Drugs To Govt Channels, Bar Private Sale
The central government is considering a proposal to tighten the regulation of critical anti- tuberculosis (TB) drugs—Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Pretomanid, and Rifapentine—in India's private healthcare market following growing concerns of misuse and drug resistance, News18 has learnt.
The panel of experts, the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC), has recommended that the manufacture and sale of anti-TB drugs should be allowed conditionally. Overall, the idea is to bar manufacturers from selling the drugs in the private market, including pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics, unless they procure them via the government under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
The move comes after the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) received a letter from the Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, warning that the expiry of patents on Bedaquiline and Delamanid in 2023 has triggered a surge in their production by multiple pharmaceutical companies, making them freely available in the private sector. Experts fear that this unregulated access could lead to indiscriminate use, risking treatment failures and accelerating the development of drug resistance.
Why is this move important?
According to WHO's Global TB Report, India has made significant progress in fighting tuberculosis. Under the NTEP, the incidence rate of TB cases has dropped by nearly 17.7%, from 237 cases per 1 lakh people in 2015 to 195 in 2023. TB-related deaths have also reduced, falling from 28 to 22 per 1 lakh people during the same period.
'We have been making significant progress in eliminating TB. If anti-TB drugs are made available via the private market, there is a high chance of people consuming these drugs without medical supervision. We cannot afford to create drug resistance against the available options," said a senior official working on NTEP.
The step
To curb this fear, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recommended that the manufacturing and sale of these drugs be conditional. Specifically, they should be permitted only in accordance with the Standards of TB Care in India (STCI) and made available through conditional access via the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). If existing licenses do not reflect this condition, the proposal calls for their immediate modification.
'To mitigate this risk, it has been requested to issue the licenses with a condition for use of Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Pretomanid and Rifapentine as per Standards of TB Care in India (STCI) and conditional access through National TB Elimination programme (NTEP)…," read the minutes of the meeting held on June 17, seen by News18.
Although the drugs have been on the market for over four years—thus no longer qualifying as 'new drugs" which come for approval before the apex Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)—regulators have requested that State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) include these restrictions in all future and past licenses.
Further, the panel agreed that 'the label on the immediate container of the drug as well as the packing in which the container is enclosed should bear the following warning – 'For the use in National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP)' which shall be in a box with a red background."
Also, the panel has agreed to issue uniform guidance to all SLAs. It further advised that SLAs which had already granted licenses for these drugs should send separate letters to manufacturers, informing them of the updated usage conditions. The document has been sent to all relevant health officials by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, on June 24 for 'taking necessary actions" as per the recommendations decided by the panel.
According to experts, the move is in the right direction. 'It's a good proposal. Globally, we have already seen signs of antibiotic resistance to certain TB drugs, so it's crucial that we take steps in India to prevent it," said Jyotsna Singh, co-convenor, Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatments, India.
However, Singh added that while this proposal is thoughtful, the government should also look at the continuous stock-outs of TB drugs. 'It's a recurring problem that requires better forecasting and enough money."
First Published:
June 26, 2025, 00:53 IST
News india Centre Plans To Restrict New TB Drugs To Govt Channels, Bar Private Sale
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
7 hours ago
- News18
‘Came With Skills, Heart': Bangladesh's Yunus To Indian, Chinese Doctors Treating Crash Victims
Last Updated: The international medical teams are currently in Dhaka to provide specialised care to those injured in the recent plane crash, many of whom are children Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Sunday thanked doctors and nurses from India, China, and Singapore for their support in treating victims of the recent plane crash in Dhaka. In a post on the social media platform X, Yunus said that a delegation of 21 doctors and nurses from the three countries met him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. The international medical teams are in the capital to provide specialised care to those injured in the crash at Milestone School and College, many of whom are children. The crash took place on Monday when a Chinese-made F-7 BGI training fighter jet suffered a mechanical fault shortly after take-off and crashed into a two-storey school building, killing 32 people, including 26 children. 'These teams have come not just with their skills, but with their hearts," Yunus said during the meeting. 'Their presence reaffirms our shared humanity and the value of global partnerships in times of tragedy." Chief Adviser thanks foreign medical teams for treating plane crash victimsDhaka, July 27, 2025: A delegation of 21 physicians and nurses from Singapore, China, and India met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday at the State Guest House Jamuna. The… — Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) July 27, 2025 The interim leader praised the teams' quick response and dedication during a national crisis and assured the visiting medical professionals of the government's full support in helping them carry out their mission. He also urged the doctors to build long-term ties with Bangladesh, including virtual cooperation in areas such as institutional collaboration, medical education exchange, and capacity building in the health sector. 'He emphasised that such partnerships could lay the foundation for lasting cooperation in public health and emergency preparedness," the post added. The delegation included ten members from Singapore, eight from China, and four from India. Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen and the Head of Mission from Singapore also attended the meeting. Meanwhile, an Indian medical team had arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to assist in treating the victims of the crash. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also expressed his condolences over the loss of life and offered support and assistance to Bangladesh following the tragedy. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
8 hours ago
- News18
'Will Forever Continue...': Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin Discharged From Hospital In Chennai
Last Updated: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin was discharged from the hospital on Sunday. He confirmed his recovery on X, thanking everyone for their support and the medical staff for their care. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin got discharged from hospital on Sunday. The Chief Minister himself confirmed it in a post on X. CM Staling said he has completely recovered. He expressed gratitude to all those who inquired about his health and prayed for him. — (@mkstalin) July 27, 2025 The CM tweeted in Tamil, 'I have returned home after recovering. To all the political movement leaders, people's representatives, judges, government officials, film artists, and the people of Tamil Nadu, including the dear siblings of our leader Kalaignar, with whom my life is intertwined, who inquired with care and wished for my recovery during my hospital stay—my heartfelt thanks!" He also thanked the medical staff for helping him recover quickly, reaffirming his commitment to serving the society. 'To the doctors, nurses, and everyone who provided excellent treatment and supported my swift recovery in the hospital—once again, my love and gratitude! I will forever continue my duty to serve you with dedication!," he further wrote. CM Stalin was hospitalised on July 21 after he experienced giddiness during his routine morning walk. Thereafter, he underwent various tests, including angiogram diagnostics at Apollo Hospitals on Greams Road in Chennai for symptoms related to giddiness. The Hindu newspaper, citing a statement by Apollo Hospitals, reported the Chief Minister underwent a therapeutic procedure" on Thursday. view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 20:04 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
9 hours ago
- News18
Delhi: 3 hospitals declared sentinel surveillance centres for dengue
Agency: New Delhi, July 27 (PTI) The Municipal Corporation of Delhi designated three hospitals as sentinel surveillance centres and intensified measures to address the seasonal increase in dengue, malaria, and chikungunya cases. On Sunday, the chairperson of the standing committee, Satya Sharma, announced that Hindu Rao Hospital, Swami Dayanand Hospital, and Kasturba Hospital have been equipped as sentinel surveillance hospitals. These facilities will have dedicated beds and specialised resources to manage the expected surge in cases. Sharma stated that 70 beds have been reserved at Hindu Rao Hospital, 22 at Swami Dayanand Hospital, and 75 at Kasturba Hospital. 'All necessary medical supplies, including medicines, IV fluids, and platelets, have been stocked adequately. Round-the-clock availability of doctors, nurses, and technical staff has been ensured to provide timely care," she said. In the event of a spike in dengue cases, arrangements would be made to increase the number of beds and staff. All hospitals have been instructed to remain fully prepared for any medical emergency related to vector-borne diseases. Meanwhile, in response to the rising cholera cases in certain areas of the city, the MCD launched special interventions in locations with unsafe drinking water. Liquid chlorine and Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets are being distributed to prevent infections and dehydration. Additionally, Sharma urged citizens to maintain cleanliness in and around their homes, avoid water stagnation, and seek medical attention immediately if they experience any symptoms of illness. PTI NSM MPL MPL (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 19:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.