WHO releases an update to its consolidated guidelines on the detection of TB and drug-resistant TB, accompanied by an operational handbook to facilitate rapid implementation and roll out of rapid molecular tests.

6 July 2021, Geneva | A global database set up by WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Programme in collaboration with the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) has been collating data on Active TB Drug Safety Monitoring and Management (aDSM) since 2016,  to monitor the safety of patients who receive MDR-TB treatment with new medicines (e.g. bedaquiline, delamanid), repurposed medicines (e.g. linezolid, clofazimine) or new regimens, which don't have a well-established safety profile. The aDSM framework has been promoted by WHO and stakeholders since 2015 for monitoring safety for patients who receive MDR-TB treatment with medicines of interest and successfully implemented in many countries for ensuring safety of patients while rolling of the newly recommended MDR-TB treatment regimens.

To support national and global efforts to increase access to and the affordability of TB care and treatment, the World Health Organization (WHO), together with UNICEF, UNAIDS and Unitaid, invites manufacturers of selected pharmaceutical products to submit expressions of interest for product evaluation to the WHO Prequalification Unit.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signed a cooperation and financing agreement to implement 10 strategic initiatives to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics and strengthen systems for health. This new agreement, which will cover the 2021-2023 implementation period, aims to address some of the persistent challenges that impede progress against the three diseases and protect hard-won gains from new pandemics like COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is initiating the development of new guidelines on the treatment of drug-resistant TB to support countries in the programmatic management of drug-resistant TB.

25 June 2021, Geneva | The first WHO Catalogue of mutations in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome complex and their association with drug resistance has been released today. The catalogue fills a critical need, providing a standard reference for the interpretation of mutations conferring resistance to all first-line and a variety of second-line drugs. The report summarises the analysis of over 38,000 isolates with matched data on whole genome sequencing and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing from over 40 countries on 13 anti-TB medicines. The catalogue lists over 17,000 mutations, their frequency and association with or not with resistance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Program has initiated a process to undertake scoping work and a systematic review of evidence on TB and vulnerable populations to inform future policy updates and research priorities.

A joint Call to Action 2.0, released by WHO and partners, calls for urgent actions by governments and donors to step up momentum to rapidly enhance coverage of TB preventive treatment for those in need.

The World Health Organization releases new global lists of high-burden countries for TB, HIV-associated TB and drug-resistant TB.

14 June 2021, Geneva | A rapid communication released by the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Programme announced updates to the current treatment regimen for people with TB. A review of evidence by WHO has shown similar performance of a shorter treatment regimen compared to the current standard regimen, both in terms of efficacy and safety. The 4-month regimen, which is shorter, effective and all-oral, would be a preference for many patients and also national TB programmes, allowing faster cure and easing the burden on both patients and the healthcare system. Shortened treatment has the potential to improve adherence and reduce patient and health system costs.