Introduction of New Pediatric TB Drug Formulations in Ethiopia

Introduction of New Pediatric TB Drug Formulations in Ethiopia

Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children. In Ethiopia, more than 15,000 pediatricdrug-sensitive TB cases were reported in 2017 and 2018. Until recently there were no appropriately dosed TB medicines for children. After a revision in WHO revision of the therapeutic dosage of first-line TB medicines for children, the USAID-funded Challenge TB Project and the National TB Program (NTP) supported the transition to new pediatric formulations and phase out existing medications. The technical highlight describes how Challenge TB and the NTP collaborated to successfully transition to new TB formulations while preventing stock-outs and wastage.