Over 53% TB prescriptions outside govt progs faulty: Study
The study led by doctors from Indira Gandhi Govt Medical College (IGGMC), Nagpur, has found that 53.3% of anti-TB prescriptions issued in healthcare settings outside National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) do not follow recommended treatment guidelines.
A recent nationwide study has revealed that over half of the tuberculosis (TB) prescriptions issued outside India's government TB control program are incorrect, with an estimated 20.6 lakh faulty prescriptions written annually. Conducted by doctors from Indira Gandhi Govt Medical College in Nagpur, the research titled "The PRAMAN India Study" has found that 53.3% of anti-TB prescriptions in non-programmatic healthcare settings do not adhere to recommended treatment guidelines.
The study analyzed 34 publications from 1991 to 2024, examining 3,834 TB prescriptions across India. Despite a significant improvement in the share of faulty prescriptions, dropping from 68.6% in the 1990s to 32.6% during 2020-24, researchers warn that without further action, nearly half of all TB prescriptions outside the government program may remain incorrect between 2025 and 2030.
Incorrect prescriptions can result in treatment failure and increase the likelihood of developing drug-resistant TB, making it harder to treat. The study recommends improved medical education, adherence to standard treatment guidelines, enhanced collaboration between private hospitals and the government's TB program, and increased use of digital tools to assist doctors in selecting the correct medications.
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