India has the highest burden of
tuberculosis in world accounting for 20% of global incidence of TB. Recently, a
survey of tuberculosis prescription practices in private and public sector in
India was published in the current issue of National journal of integrated
research in medicine by Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra from Nagpur, India. The study
found that more than 90% prescriptions in the private sector and RNTCP (Revised
National Tuberculosis Control Programme) were incorrect
as per the WHO (World Health Organization) norms. The study further showed that
factors for development of drug resistant TB were more in prescriptions by
private practitioners whereas overdoses of anti TB medicines were more in
RNTCP. The study notes that the patients above 30 kg in RNTCP receive the same
dose of all anti TB drugs except Rifampicin. As a result a person weighing 30
kg receives 300 mg of INH whereas another person weighing 31 kg receives 600 mg
of INH , thus receiving almost double the recommended dose of 10 mg per kg. The
study has recommended creation of weight bands under RNTCP for persons weighing
more than 30 kg. The study concludes that the anti TB treatment offered in
private and public sector in India at present is not satisfactory and needs to
be improved.
Link to article:
The abstract of this article is given as below.
Introduction: India has the
highest burden of tuberculosis in world, accounting for 20% of global incidence
of TB (Tuberculosis). TB treatment is available both in private and public
sector in India.
Aim &
objectives: The current study was carried out to study and compare the
prescribing practices of anti-tuberculosis medications by private practitioners
and healthcare providers in public sector (under RNTCP-Revised National
Tuberculosis Control Programme).
Material and
Methods: 105 anti TB prescriptions of private practitioners and 105
RNTCP (Revised National Tuberculosis Programme) treatment cards were analysed.
Results: 9.52%
prescriptions by private practitioners and 4.76 % RNTCP prescriptions were
correct. Factors for drug resistance were present in 67.62 % of prescriptions
by private practitioners and 28.57 % of RNTCP prescriptions whereas overdosing
was present in 53.33 % of prescriptions by private practitioners and 68.57 % of
RNTCP prescriptions.
Conclusion: The anti TB
treatment offered in private and public sector in India is not satisfactory at
present and needs to be improved
Reference: Mishra
G, Mulani J. Tuberculosis Prescription Practices In Private And Public Sector
In India. NJIRM. 2013; 4(2): 71-78.
