Zimbabwe running out of TB resistant drugs

Health authorities in Zimbabwe have revealed that medical drugs used in the treatment of a drug sensitive tuberculosis among TB and HIV co-infected patients on second line treatment antiretroviral therapy (ART) is in short supply and may run out by the end of November.

Dr Jasper Chimedza (main picture), the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care made the revelations to hospital adminstrators in a letter, and revealed that Rifabutin 150mg tablets are in short supply countrywide.

He said the next shipment is expected mid-2021 while advising the clinicians to stop initiating new patients on Rifabutin.

“The country is currently faced with a shortage in Rifabutin 150mg tablets used in the treatment of drug sensitive Tuberculosis (DS-TB) among TB/HIV co-infected patients on second line treatment antiretroviral therapy (ART). The shortages are associated with active pharmaceutical ingredient quality issues at the manufacturer level,” Dr Chimedza said.

“Based on the current stock levels, the country would be stocked out by the end of November 2020. The next shipment delivery is expected in mid-2021,” he said.

He also implored on clinicians to initiate the new patients on Rifampicin based regimen (2RHZE/2RH).

“Clinicians are also recommended to substitute Atnazanavir/Ritonavir (ATV/r) with Lopinavir/Ritonavir (LPV/r), and either give LPV /r twice daily (double the dose) or increase Ritonavir to 400 mg (super bosting). They should monitor closely for potential adverse events due to the high dose,” added Dr Chimedza.

Dr Chimedza said they should also liaise with the district pharmacist and or the Zimbabwe National Pharmaceutical Company logistics unit to ensure they have adequate supplies of LPV/r.

Zimbabwe is among the eight countries in Africa belonging to the top 30 countries with high TB, TB/HIV and DR-TB burden in the world.

At least 242 new cases of TB are being registered per 100 000 people in Zimbabwe, with HIV being the major driver of TB, with an estimated 60 percent co-infection rate. 2RH).

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