Health Ministry to introduce new three-drug regimen for leprosy

Jan 25,2024

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has decided to implement a new treatment regimen for leprosy aimed at stopping its transmission at the sub-national level by 2027, three years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals. 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.

In letter to states and Union Territories, Deputy Director General, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr Sudarsan Mandal said the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) is taking all required steps to stop the transmission of leprosy at the sub-national level.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has taken a significant step in the treatment regimen of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) for leprosy patients in India.

"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," the letter sent on January 17 read.

"As the World Health Organisation (WHO) has agreed to supply the revised drug regimen from April 1, 2025, therefore all states and Union Territories are requested to send their requisition of anti-leprosy drugs, 12 months before the timeline," Mandal said.

Source: Healthworld