Study Confirms: Shorter DR-TB Regimens Save Lives and Budgets

Economic benefit to implementing six-month DR-TB treatments estimated at US$1 billion in South Africa and over US$800 million over next five years

Newly published research from South Africa and the Philippines reinforces the value of six-month BPaL/M regimens for drug-resistant TB. These regimens cut the cost per successful treatment by 20–25% in South Africa and 9–11% in the Philippines compared to standard alternatives.

Beyond cost, BPaL/M reduces deaths, boosts cure rates, and minimizes loss to follow-up. Increases to the number of people who receive and complete treatment project to lead to a modest initial cost to health systems. However, the study estimates that over five years, the economic benefits total nearly US$1 billion in South Africa and over US$800 million in the Philippines—proving that upfront investments in shorter, more effective care pay off many times over.