Better and cheap TB kit to hit India in 2007

Hyderabad, Nov 30 (UNI) With more than four million people suffering from the life-degenerating disease in India, a new diagnostic kit which can detect even hidden tuberculosis (TB) and 'cheaper than any existing' mode is expected to hit Indian market in 2007 after clearance from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).

Addressing mediapersons here yesterday French healthcare major Merieux Alliance (MA) Chairman Alain Merieux said, ''our kit for TB diagnosis is under testing in India''. The diagnostic kit, based on human paleate with French know-how, had been developed by Biomerieux, one of MA's subsidiary with bio-industrial expertise and cutting edge research potential.'' The first stage of testing in India had been 'promising' and the second stage trials were currently underway at Hyderabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai and Agra under the supervision of ICMR and its ethical committee, he said.

The new kit could detect ''even latent TB'', the company officials claimed it would be 'better and affordable than even the DOTS (Direct Observation of Therapy System)' which was acclaimed by WHO and other international health bodies on TB control, Mr Merieux said.

''Over the next three months we expect the testing at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (Hyderabad), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (New Delhi), Hinduja Hospital (Mumbai), Chennai and Agra to validate the testing'', he added.

The exact price of the kit was yet to be fixed, the official added. The 'kit' was also under trial in China since last month.

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