Chemists in the State might soon play a key role in treating Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) tuberculosis. The chemists will not only bring patients closer to treatment but also monitor the action and reaction of treatment and ensure patient compliance. The Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association said 298 chemists across the State had enrolled themselves as Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) providers for treating primary TB patients.
J.S. Shinde, president of MSCDA, said, “These chemists will soon give treatment for MDR tuberculosis as well. We will be signing an agreement with the Central government in the coming weeks in this regard.”
The Central government provides free treatment under the national TB programme. Patients who are enrolled with local chemists can buy their drugs at the local pharmacies. Mr. Shinde said, “The drugs are provided by the Centre and the chemists acts as a facilitator. The benefit is that chemists are specially trained to do ensure patients comply with the treatment. Relatives usually do not keep track of patients sticking to their health regime.”
Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while inaugurating the End TB Summit in Delhi said the government had set 2025 as the deadline for eradicating TB. Experts say that increasing the role of chemists in this war against multi drug-resistant tuberculosis will make a positive difference.
‘Good human resource’
Manjiri Gharat, vice president, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), said chemists were a good human resource to tap for the TB programme and other disease control initiatives.
Ms. Gharat said, “The TB programme was the first national programme that involved chemists. But this model can be replicated for other diseases as well.” She said that it was a good idea to scale up the TB initiative and involve chemists for treating multi drug-resistant TB as well. Ms. Gharat said, “Besides injectable medicines, chemists play a great role in ensuring patients take oral drugs regularly. Chemists are also trained in counselling and identifying symptomatic patients.”
She said the IPA released a detailed report, Pharmacists at the Front lines: a novel approach at combating TB, which provided an overview of the role played by pharmacists in TB programmes in the past.
So far, nearly 1,200 pharmacists have been trained under the IPA. Ms. Gharat said, “Some chemists who have continuously been a part of the programme have referred many suspected cases and at least 40%-50% of them test positive.”
