Availability of paediatric dispersible fixed-dose combinations of tuberculosis drugs in Spain

Extract We read with interest the viewpoint on tuberculosis (TB) elimination recently published in the European Respiratory Journal [1]. The correct treatment of children is essential to ensure future TB-free generations [2, 3]. The paediatric dispersible fixed-dose combination tablets (pFDC) of first-line anti-TB drugs were first made available in 2015, are World Health Organization (WHO)-prequalified (by the WHO Prequalification Medicines Programme, PQP) and have been used to treat more than 1 million children in more than 120 low- and middle-income countries since. The pFDC are easy to store and administer, are water-dispersible, palatable with a pleasant taste, affordable, have a shelf-life of 2 years and comply with the paediatric dosage guidelines established in 2009 [4]. The use of the pFDC is likely to enhance adherence and completion of treatment, and potentially prevent the development of drug resistance. They have been recently used in the SHINE study, the largest clinical trial in paediatric TB in decades, which has also provided insights into the pharmacokinetics and acceptability of the new formulations [5–7].
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research