Pharmacist-Led Intervention to Improve TB Treatment and Outcomes

In 2019, tuberculosis (TB) remained the leading cause of death due to a single infectious pathogen. An estimated 10 million people had TB worldwide, with 1.2 million TB fatalities among Human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-negative people and 208, 000 deaths among HIV-positive people. Literature indicated that treatment adherence for coinfections diseases is difficult due to the complexity, low tolerability, and extended duration of current treatment regimens, especially for both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB. There is a need for continuing the quest for low-cost, reliable, and acceptable measures of adherence for the treatment of TB and HIV co-infection. A qualitative approach and pharmacist-led intervention are needed to improve the adherence level of medication for TB patients. The study is aimed to investigate the degree of adherence and evaluate its impacts on clinical outcomes in TB and HIV co-infected patients. To determine the uptake and usage of the intervention, the study will include nested qualitative and economic evaluation sub-studies as well as a process evaluation. A longitudinal study design will adopt to carry out the present study, involving TB and HIV co-infected patients in either the pharmacist-led intervention (adherence and medication reminder, follow-up reminders, and counselling) or control arm. To determine the uptake and usage of the intervention, the study will include theoretical and conceptual models and theories. The study will conclude with targeted efforts of Pharmacist led intervention to improve and sustain excellent adherence in the real-world clinical setting which is critical for maximizing the effectiveness of each medication and treatment. These innovative technologies can thereby be harnessed to improve adherence to TB and HIV regimens in Malaysia and worldwide.