By Olasunkanmi Jumoke
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published information notes regarding the dosage and administration of bedaquiline and delamanid in children and adolescents with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the organisation underlined that these medications are considered innovative and have shown promising results in treating DR-TB, a condition that affects thousands of young individuals worldwide.
According to WHO, the 2022 guidelines contain two new recommendations on the use of bedaquiline and delamanid for children with multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant (MDR/RR-TB), making it possible to build all-oral regimens for everyone with MDR/RR-TB, irrespective of age.
Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Programme, said: “Child-friendly formulations of bedaquiline and delamanid are now available. We need to ensure that children and adolescents of all ages can benefit from these new drugs and innovative regimens.
“These information notes provide clear and simple instructions for clinicians and caregivers on the use of these dispersible child-friendly formulations, but also on the use of adult tablets when child-friendly formulations are not available.”
