Increased access to quality TB drugs DR Congo Experience

Country profile: DR Congo DR Congo is one of the world’s 22 high burden TB countries Size: 2 345 000 Km² Population: 54 141 875 DOTS coverage: 70%

Application to GDF Shortage of drugs to treat TB patients Lack of buffer stocks for 10 years Some regions with no drugs, and funding partners unable to increase drug budgets DOTS could not be maintained even though TB control programme was generally good Shift to the 4FDC because of a need for simplified drug management

How did GDF & STB Partnership assist Grant of TB drugs for 63,000 patients in Year 1 and 63,000 in Year 2 Total approx.value = US $1.5 million Quality assured FDCs Technical support from secretariat in Geneva and 3 in-country technical missions

4FDC improved the use of drugs by TB patients Shifting from the 3FDC to the 4 FDC reduced the number of tablets to be taken by TB patients daily The 4FDC improved treatment compliance of TB patients

4FDC improved TB drug management Improved case finding Simplified drug ordering Simplified stocking and distribution Reduced complexity of prescription Minimized risk of potential error

4FDC improved DOTS strategy In 2002 and 2003, 2 more provinces expanded DOTS strategy In 2004, 2 other provinces will expand DOTS strategy DR Congo plans to achieve 90% DOTS coverage by the end of 2004 NTP is improving case finding

Conclusion The provision of 4FDC drugs from GDF has made it possible to improve the drug management skills of TB control Programme personnel and primary health care workers who are responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of TB With available and consistent drug supply, the TB programme plans to extend DOTS in whole the country 4FDC improved the use of drugs by TB patients GDF ensured that there were drugs and buffer available for all TB patients