TB - The need of new drug. (14th Nov, 2012)
TB is a curable infection that affects more than 2 billion people across the
globe annually, claiming almost 1.4 million lives. It is estimated that TB
claims one life every 20 seconds around the globe. In India alone, over 1000
lives succumb to TB everyday (2 deaths every 3 minutes). Existing TB
treatment makes use of combinatorial therapy involving 4 medicines
(Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide) and is administered for a
period of 6 to 9 months under the direct observation of a physician (DOTS).
These drugs were discovered in the middle of 20th century. The treatment
regimen is too long and risk prone and the inadequate administration of
existing treatment has resulted in the emergence of MDR (multiple drug
resistant) TB and XDR (extremely drug resistant) TB. The emergence of drug
resistant cases of TB, and lack of any new drugs since past 60 years,
demands the discovery of more effective, novel drugs.

