1. Increased access to quality TB drugs
DR Congo Experience

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 4FDC improved TB drug management
Improved case finding
Simplified drug ordering
Simplified stocking and distribution
Reduced complexity of prescription
Minimized risk of potential error

7. 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

8. 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