Controlling the Drug Resistant TB Epidemic in India: Challenges & Implications.

India is highest Tuberculosis (TB) burden country accounting for an estimated one-fourth of the global burden. Drug resistant TB (DR-TB) represents major public health problem in India. Patients with DR-TB may often require profound changes in their drug regimen which are invariably linked to poor adherence and sub-optimal treatment outcomes compared to drug sensitive TB. The challenge of addressing DR-TB is critical for India, as it accounts for over 27% of the global DR cases. In recent decade, India has been upfront in its battle against TB and even set up revised National Strategic plan (NSP) to eliminate TB by 2025. However, to achieve this ambitious goal, country will need multifaceted approach with respect to management of DR-TB. Despite concerted efforts driven by National TB elimination program, India faces substantial challenges with respect to DR-TB care especially in peripheral and resource limited endemic zones. The current article, describes some of the major challenges along with its implications associated with reducing the growing DR-TB epidemic in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]