Switching TB Treatment Schedules: What Happened in Makassar

Makassar, Indonesia – A new study shows that giving tuberculosis (TB) patients daily doses of medication is more effective and better tolerated than the traditional three‑times‑a‑week regimen.

Study Design

• Population: Patients with drug‑sensitive TB
• Groups:
• Control: Three doses per week (old protocol)
• Intervention: Daily dosing (new approach)

The aim was to compare cure rates and patient comfort between the two schedules.

Key Findings

Patients on the daily schedule finished treatment sooner and experienced fewer adverse reactions.

Policy Impact

The Indonesian Ministry of Health has adopted daily dosing for all TB patients during the continuation phase. This change seeks to:

• Increase overall cure rates
• Reduce side‑effects
• Simplify treatment adherence

Future Outlook

Health officials expect the new schedule to help Indonesia meet its goal of cutting TB deaths. By ensuring daily medication intake, patients are less likely to forget doses and more likely to complete the full course of treatment.