Centre to Ensure Six-Month Supply of TB Drugs to States

The Indian government is developing a plan to maintain a six-month supply of tuberculosis (TB) drugs and diagnostic kits in states and Union Territories (UTs) at all times. This effort is part of India’s goal to eliminate TB by the end of this year.

Currently, the Centre ensures that states have at least three months of TB drug stocks. The government launched the Intensified TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan on December 7, which screened over 110 million vulnerable individuals across 455 campaign districts. As a result, more than 400,000 patients have been notified and started treatment, in addition to the 2.6 million TB patients notified in 2024. Dr. Urvashi B. Singh, Deputy Director General of the Central Tuberculosis Division at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, explained that the government has adopted a new strategy to identify sub-clinical or asymptomatic TB, which contributes to community transmission. This approach aims to break the transmission chain, reduce TB incidence, and lower mortality through early identification and treatment.

Dr. Singh also stated that the government is ensuring adequate drug and diagnostic stock availability with states and UTs. Currently, all state governments have more than three months’ stock, with some approaching six months. The plan is to maintain a six-month stock of TB drugs and diagnostic kits round the clock.