WHO and FIP sign joint initiative for TB

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) have signed a joint statement, clarifying the role of pharmacists in tuberculosis (TB) care and control.

The statement, signed at the Federation's 71st International Congress in Hyderabad, India, puts forward a series of measures to help detect TB; offer treatment support; and reduce the number of deaths from the disease.

These measures would be achieved by engaging the FIP's network of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists and motivating them to become fully involved in national TB care and control efforts.

The statement calls on TB programmes and pharmacy associations to use their potential to increase awareness, provide patient-centered treatment supervision and refer people to facilities, amongst other suggestions.

Despite TB being one of the world's biggest infectious killers, it can be treated and cured through a six month course of prescribed medicines.