Union Health Ministry Announces New Three-Drug Regimen for Leprosy Treatment
Written by Arushi Sharma
In a pioneering move, India's Union Health Ministry has announced a shift to a three-drug regimen for leprosy treatment, backed by extensive research.
In a groundbreaking move, the Union Health Ministry of India has unveiled plans to implement a new three-drug regimen for leprosy treatment, with the aim of halting transmission at the sub-national level by 2027, three years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals.
This decision comes after extensive research studies and evidence-based practices revealed the efficacy of a three-drug approach for Pauci Bacillary (PB) cases.
In a letter addressed to states and Union Territories, Dr. Sudarsan Mandal, Deputy Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), emphasized the National Leprosy Eradication Programme's commitment to taking all necessary steps to prevent the spread of leprosy.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has approved the introduction of a three-drug regimen for Pauci-Bacillary (PB) cases, replacing the existing two-drug regimen over a six-month period. This decision aligns with the latest globally accepted scientific research and evidence-based practices, reflecting a significant advancement in leprosy treatment.
The letter, dated January 17, stated, "With the approval of the competent authority, the Ministry of Health has decided to introduce a three-drug regimen for Pauci-Bacillary (PB) cases in place of a two-drug regimen for six months, according to the latest globally accepted scientific research studies and evidence-based practices."
Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed to supply the revised drug regimen starting from April 1, 2025. States and Union Territories have been urged to submit their requisition for anti-leprosy drugs at least 12 months before this timeline.
The revised classification of leprosy and treatment regimen for paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB) cases in India is set to be implemented nationwide from April 1, 2025. The new treatment regimen, consisting of the drugs dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine, aligns with the WHO's recommended multi-drug therapy (MDT).
"We believe that this new treatment regimen for leprosy patients will mark a significant step forward in our collective efforts to eradicate leprosy in India by 2027," the letter concluded.
It's worth noting that the World Health Organization has been providing the multi-drug therapy free of cost as part of its commitment to global leprosy eradication efforts.