Scientists at ICMR’s National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis have kicked off a multi-centric study to evaluate the efficacy of TB treatment for a 4-month daily regimen using Moxifloxacin in comparison to the existing 6-month course. Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) in Nagpur, King George′s Medical University, Lucknow, and Mahavir Hospital and Research Centre, Hyderabad are some of the centers chosen for the multi-center trial. 

As of now, under National TB Elimination Program (NTEP), the anti-TB drugs are offered as Fixed-dose combinations (FDC). Meanwhile, Dr. Padma Priyadarshini, Director of the ICMR′s National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT), briefly explained that protocol and stated that "We would enroll around 500 TB patients who will receive a four-month regimen, the regular Fixed-dose Combination (FDC) with the Moxifloxacin added on to it. Then we will follow them for diagnosing any relapse, for 24 months after they complete treatment". Along with the project protocol, she also added that recruitments were ongoing for this study. “The rationale behind shortening the treatment regimen is not just to cure, but to ensure that patients do not have any recurrence or relapse of the disease,” explained Dr. Priyadarshini. 

According to a government report, covid-19 had a major impact on the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) because patients either stopped visiting or couldn’t visit hospitals due to the pandemic and lockdown.

(Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/icmr-evaluates-efficacy-of-shortening-of-existing-tb-treatment-regimen-11656982059714.html )