IPSF PARO Resolution: The Role of Pharmacists in Tuberculosis Prevention and Management
The International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) - Pan American Regional Office (PARO) and its Member Organisations, Recognise that tuberculosis still presents as a major health concern in the Pan American Region with 289,000 estimated cases in 2019, even though the prevalence is decreasing, Endorse the WHO’s End TB Strategy which aims to reduce death from tuberculosis by 90% and the incidence of tuberculosis by 80% by 2030, Express deep concern about an estimate of 50,000 people with tuberculosis being unaware of their infection and only 75% of the treatments being successful, Profess alarm by the emergence of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB), which leads to treatment failure, disease transmission, and mortality, Fully believe that people living with tuberculosis suffer from not only the disease burden, but also financial hardship and social stigma, Keep in mind that tuberculosis disproportionally affects certain populations, such as people who are economically disadvantaged or undernourished, children, migrants, persons deprived of their liberty, and people living with comorbidities including HIV, diabetes, or mental disorders, Highlight that interdisciplinary and multisectoral efforts are required to further reduce tuberculosis prevalence in the Pan American Region, Draw attention to pharmacists’ close relationship with local communities and their ability and knowledge to provide effective education and counselling, Emphasise pharmacists’ expertise in assessing the appropriateness, efficacy, and safety of antituberculosis therapy and promoting patient engagement, which are essential for tuberculosis treatment management and transmission prevention, Reaffirm that pharmacists play a pivotal role within an interdisciplinary team to support local tuberculosis education, promote early diagnosis and testing, improve treatment adherence, as well as prevent treatment related adverse drug reactions and interactions, 1. Call on pharmacist-driven campaigns and activities in local communities to encourage tuberculosis screening, promote tuberculosis transmission prevention strategies, and support treatment adherence, a. Educate local community members about signs and symptoms of tuberculosis and when one should get tested, b. Promote and support tuberculosis vaccination to the general population if the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is available,
2. 3.
4. 5.
6. 7.
c. Increase awareness of environmental factors that can increase risk of tuberculosis such as overcrowded living space, exposure to tobacco smoke, and poor indoor ventilation, d. Provide complete medication review for tuberculosis patients who live with comorbidities to identify and manage adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions, e. Promote screening and diagnosis of common comorbidities of tuberculosis such as HIV infections, Advocate for antimicrobial stewardship and drug susceptibility tests to prevent, identify, and manage MDR TB, Recommend development of educational materials to educate and support pharmacists regarding tuberculosis management, a. Create learning materials for symptom recognition, tuberculosis test interpretation, preferred treatment regimens, common adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions associated with tuberculosis medications, tuberculosis modifiable risk factors, and prevention strategies, Call upon pharmacists and pharmacy students to participate in research projects related to novel tuberculosis treatment for MDR TB, vaccines, and rapid diagnostic tools, Convene international, national, local and regional youth organisations to campaign for policy and system changes to provide more quality, accessible, and affordable care for all tuberculosis patients and people who are at risk for tuberculosis infection, Highlight the needs for interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral engagement to advocate for tuberculosis management in disproportionately affected populations, Further recommend collaboration with local governments and non-profit organisations to provide accessible resources and people-centered care for tuberculosis prevention and management.