CARE-TB Trial: Pharmacist-Led Digital Adherence Package Challenges Directly Observed Therapy in Malaysian Tuberculosis Care — Implications for Asia-Pacific Clinicians
247 Health News Editorial
·26 July 2026
·5 min read
·clinical-trialsThe CARE-TB study is evaluating a pharmacist-led digital adherence package — combining video-observed therapy, telecounselling, and e-learning — as an alternative to conventional directly observed therapy for pulmonary TB patients in Malaysia. With completion expected in March 2026, findings from this implementation science trial are poised to reshape digital TB care policy across the Asia-Pacific region. Clinicians managing TB in high-immigration settings, including Australia, should monitor this evidence closely.
Originally reported by ClinicalTrials.gov
References
- 1.University of Malaya. (2025). Comprehensive digital adherence and remote engagement to optimise treatment adherence for tuberculosis patients (CARE-TB Study) in Selangor, Malaysia: An effectiveness-implementation science study (NCT07069387). ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07069387
- 2.Curran, G. M., Bauer, M., Mittman, B., Pyne, J. M., & Stetler, C. (2012). Effectiveness-implementation hybrid designs: Combining elements of clinical effectiveness and implementation research to enhance public health impact. Medical Care, 50(3), 217–226. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0b013e3182408812
- 3.Garfein, R. S., Collins, K., Muñoz, F., Moser, K., Cerecer-Callu, P., Raab, F., Burgos, J. L., & Cuevas-Mota, J. (2015). Feasibility of tuberculosis patients being observed taking medication via video as an alternative to directly observed therapy. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 19(9), 1057–1064. https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.14.0658
- 4.World Health Organization. (2024). Global tuberculosis report 2024. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2024
- 5.Subbaraman, R., de Mondesert, L., Musiimenta, A., Pai, M., Mayer, K. H., Thomas, B. E., & Haberer, J. (2018). Digital adherence technologies for the management of tuberculosis therapy: Mapping the landscape and research priorities. BMJ Global Health, 3(5), e000Heritage. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000Heritage
- 6.Firth, J., Torous, J., Nicholas, J., Carney, R., Rosenbaum, S., & Sarris, J. (2017). Can smartphone mental health interventions reduce symptoms of anxiety? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders, 218, 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.04.046
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247 Health News Editorial
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