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The WHO has released a first-of-its-kind guidance on how to generate evidence on novel TB treatments, explicitly calling for social science evidence on equity, cost, feasibility, acceptability, and user values. SSHIFTB co-lead Nora Engel was involved in the writing team, particularly the generation of qualitative evidence, in consultation with a broader group of experts and representatives.
The Guidance on evidence generation on new regimens for tuberculosis treatment advises researchers, developers, funders, and other actors engaged in the global TB response about how evidence should be generated to optimally inform WHO guideline development groups that decide on novel treatment regimens. It includes key messages for areas such as trial design, selection criteria, outcome choice, sample size, economic considerations, and how to investigate and address GRADE evidence-to-action criteria for equity, feasibility, acceptability, and user values, including through qualitative research.
This guidance promises to build a broader and stronger knowledge base for policy development which can ultimately lead to stronger recommendations. Social sciences are key to this endeavour and this report offers a useful tool for advocating to strengthen that role. At SSHIFTB we look forward to innovative models of integrating social science approaches into or alongside future TB treatment trials and other studies.
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