WHO Flags Drug-Resistant TB in India Despite 94% Success

Drug-resistant TB in India remains a major challenge despite improvements in the country's overall tuberculosis treatment outcomes, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026.

India recorded a 94 percent treatment success rate among patients with drug-susceptible TB, while its TB mortality declined 38 percent between 2015 and 2025.

However, WHO identified India among the 10 countries with the largest gaps between estimated rifampicin-resistant TB cases and patients enrolled for treatment.

The findings highlight the need to strengthen early diagnosis, drug-resistance testing and access to appropriate medicines to improve treatment coverage.

Key Highlights

• India achieved 94 percent treatment success among drug-susceptible TB patients.
• WHO identified India among the 10 countries with the largest rifampicin-resistant TB treatment gaps.
• Drug-resistant TB medicines can cost USD 200-600 per patient, compared with around USD 50 for first-line treatment.
• WHO recommends shorter, all-oral treatment regimens to improve patient outcomes.

Also Read: Moving Indian Pharma from Volume to Value Through Innovation and Strat

Drug-Resistant TB in India: The Treatment Coverage Gap

The 94 percent treatment success figure does not extend to all forms of tuberculosis. It specifically covers patients with drug-susceptible TB, which responds to standard first-line medicines.

Drug-resistant TB requires different medicines and longer or more complex treatment approaches.

According to WHO, India was among the 10 countries accounting for the largest gaps between estimated rifampicin-resistant TB cases and patients enrolled for treatment in 2025.

However, India's specific incidence estimates remain under review and have not been published in the report's comparison. WHO noted that closing these gaps requires improvements in:

• Early detection and diagnosis of TB cases.
• Bacteriological confirmation to identify drug resistance.
• Coverage of testing for rifampicin-resistant TB.
• Timely enrolment of diagnosed patients into appropriate treatment.

Newer TB Medicines and Shorter Treatment Regimens

The cost and complexity of treatment remain additional challenges for drug-resistant TB in India. WHO estimates that drug-resistant TB regimens cost USD 200–600 per patient, compared with approximately USD 50 for first-line treatment of drug-susceptible TB.

WHO recommends several treatment options, including six-month all-oral regimens for eligible patients with rifampicin-resistant TB. These include BPaLM, which combines bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid and moxifloxacin.

Globally, six-month regimens accounted for 42 percent of rifampicin-resistant TB treatment enrolments in 2025, compared with 18 percent in 2024. The Ministry of Health has described India's 94 percent treatment success rate as evidence of stronger treatment delivery and patient support.

However, improving outcomes for drug-resistant TB will require wider access to molecular diagnostics, appropriate medicines and shorter treatment options.