The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced new global targets for long-acting injectable medicines that could significantly reduce the burden of tuberculosis (TB) treatment, including a single-dose injection for prevention and fewer visits for treating active infections.
The targets, published on October 28, 2026, propose that future preventive treatments should ideally require just one injection, while active TB treatment should be completed within four months through three or fewer dosing visits.
The move could have significant implications for India, which accounts for approximately 25% of global TB cases, according to the WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2025. An estimated 10.7 million people developed TB worldwide in 2024, while 1.23 million died from the disease.
Currently, patients with drug-susceptible TB generally require several months of daily medication. Long treatment schedules, side effects, travel expenses and missed doses often make adherence difficult, increasing concerns about incomplete treatment and drug resistance.
The proposed long-acting injectables are designed to release medicines gradually, maintaining therapeutic levels over extended periods. WHO has also stressed that these treatments must demonstrate safety and effectiveness comparable to existing oral medicines.
For India, the approach could reduce repeated hospital visits and financial pressures, particularly among patients in remote and economically disadvantaged communities. However, affordability, accessibility and healthcare infrastructure will determine its practical impact.
The WHO has clarified that these are drug-development targets, not approved treatments. Candidate medicines must undergo clinical trials and regulatory assessment before becoming available. Existing TB treatment protocols therefore remain unchanged.
