NPPA Asks SDCs To Ensure Smooth Production, Supply Of Clofazimine
Mumbai, 6 Aug 2020:
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has asked all state drug controllers (SDCs) to ensure smooth production and supply of clofazimine across the country used in the treatment of multi drug resistant (MDR) TB.
Drug clofazimine is a part of regimen for the treatment of MDR TB under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). According to NPPA, there were references received from national advocacy group on shortage of clofazimine, which falls under the scheduled drug list.
“Matter regarding shortage or non-availability of the drug was also taken up by the NPPA with the Union Health Ministry. Now, It has been confirmed by union health ministry that under NTEP, they have continuous supply of clofazimine and there are sufficient stocks in the pipeline for future consumption. Also, no shortage or non-availability of the drug has been reported by SDCs when asked in the matter,” as per NPPA.
Taking abundant caution and to ensure smooth production or supply across the country of the drug, companies have also worked on to further streamline the production and supply of the drug in the retail supply chain. NPPA has directed SDCs that If still there are any instance of shortage or non-availability of the drug, the same may be brought to the notice of the authority on helpline number 1800111255 and email id - monitoring-nppa@gov.in.
At the start of 2020, the Central government renamed the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). As envisaged, the Union government would be achieving the sustainable development goal of ending TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global targets.
Clofazimine is a highly lipophilic antimicrobial riminophenazine dye generally used in combination with other agents, such as dapsone, for the treatment of leprosy. Although it carries in vitro activity against mycobacterium tuberculosis, it is generally considered an ineffective treatment in comparison to classic tuberculosis treatments such as rifampicin and isoniazid. Pharmabiz