WHO issues information note on the use of a new agent, delamanid, for the treatment of MDR-TB

2 December 2013 | Geneva | On November 22, 2013, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has recommended the granting of a conditional marketing authorisation for delamanid, a new therapeutic agent, as part of an appropriate combination regimen for pulmonary multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in adult patients when an effective treatment regimen cannot otherwise be composed for reasons of resistance or tolerability. WHO aims to initiate a process of review of available data on the efficacy and safety of this compound, as well as on supplementary data being requested from independant experts. Based on that review, WHO will determine whether to develop interim guidance on the use of this medicine for the treatment of MDR-TB.

• Read the information note

LONDON | 23 OCTOBER 2013 | Tuberculosis (TB) treatment has saved the lives of more than 22 million people, according to the WHO Global tuberculosis report 2013 published today. The new data confirm that the world is on track to meet the 2015 UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target of reversing TB incidence, along with the target of a 50% reduction in the mortality rate by 2015 (compared to 1990). A special Countdown to 2015 supplement to this year’s report provides full information on the progress to the international TB targets. It details if the world and countries with a high burden of TB are “on-track” or “off-track” and what can be done rapidly to accelerate impact as the 2015 deadline approaches.

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• Download the Global TB Report

13 June 2013 | Geneva | For the first time in over 40 years, a new TB drug with a novel mechanism of action - bedaquiline- is available, and was granted accelerated approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration in December 2012.

There is considerable interest in the potential of this drug to treat MDR-TB. However, information about this new drug remains limited. It has only been through two Phase IIb trials for safety and efficacy. The World Health Organization (WHO) is therefore issuing “interim policy guidance”.

• Access the interim policy guidance on the use of bedaquiline in the treatment of MDR-TB

18 MARCH 2013 | GENEVA - WHO and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria said today that strains of tuberculosis with resistance to multiple drugs could spread widely and highlight an annual need of at least US$ 1.6 billion in international funding for treatment and prevention of the disease.

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• Information note on TB financing and funding gaps in 118 countries eligible for Global Fund support
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