TB prevention treatment, 3HP, launched on #WorldTBDay
JOBURG – 3HP is as safe and effective as other latent TB treatments, with a significantly higher rate of completion of treatment due to its shorter, three-month duration,
Today, 24 March, the world is celebrating World TB Day and Sanofi just launched an innovative TB prevention treatment, 3HP, which is set to be a game-changer for the South African market.
Country chair of Sanofi South Africa Thibault Crosnier Leconte said, “What makes this new treatment so exciting is that it need only be taken for a three-month period – one dose a week for 12 weeks – as opposed to the usual 12-month regimen required for standard TB therapy. The shortened duration of treatment will therefore mean better patient compliance and ultimately better treatment outcomes.”
This treatment was launched in partnership with the Department of Health.
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Despite treatment for latent TB infection having been available for a long time, few eligible individuals are started on it, and of those who are, many fail to complete their treatment. This could be because of the long length of treatment (12 months) or a lack of understanding of treatment benefits. The arrival of 3HP treatment is therefore set to have a major impact in this regard.
“The WHO has approved the use of 3HP as one of the alternative treatment regimens for latent TB. 3HP is as safe and effective as other latent TB treatments, with a significantly higher rate of completion of treatment due to its shorter, three-month duration,” said Crosnier Leconte.
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This is particularly pertinent given the burden of TB disease in South Africa. In 2020, the WHO estimated that the country had 360 000 cases of TB and
58 000 TB deaths.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in patients defaulting on their treatments, including TB preventive therapy. However, it is vital that patients keep taking their medication during Covid-19, as we can’t afford South Africa’s TB outlook to worsen,” added Crosnier Leconte.
“For more than 50 years, Sanofi has provided treatment and programmes that equip patients and their healthcare providers around the world to fight TB. We are incredibly proud to add 3HP to this portfolio, and partner with the South African governmen, to further help in the push to end TB,” concluded Crosnier Leconte.
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