STATUS OF TUBERCULOSIS IN KANPUR CITY AND ROLE OF PHARMACIST AS A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL IN TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis (TB) is a growing international health concern and it is estimated that a third of the world’s population is currently infected with TB. The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB has greatly increased difficulties in its treatment and control. Therefore, the present study was perceived to check the status of tuberculosis at Kanpur, one of the largest city of Uttar Pradesh and oldest industrial townships of North India. Study was also aimed to understand the expectation and mindset of community/patients regarding the services of a pharmacist in the maintenance or restoration of health. The study was conducted on the TB patients attending different outpatient and or inpatient department of local and government hospital, clinics, in Kanpur city and necessary information had been collected through questionnaire by making couple of visit and follow-up counseling. It was amazing to know through the study that knowledge and awareness about such common and chronic diseases was either very poor or there was none implementation for prevention and control. The healthcare services of pharmacist were not only accepted but also appreciated by majority of patients. It has also been revealed that there is need to invest more in education, policies and science to ensure better and safer services in particular with new and effective antimycobacterials