In the wake of implementation of Short Course Chemotherapy (SCC) in the programme, some of the organizational aspects of SCC as observed in a clinical trial at the Lady Willingdon State TB Centre (LWSTC), Bangalore vis-a-vis to those recommended in the programme were evaluated. The efficacy of 3 SCC regimens of 3-5 months duration under clinical trial were studied among 381 patients. The efforts and the resources employed to achieve the results in the trial are compared with that of those recommended in the District TB Programme (DTP).

It is observed that there is a wide gap between the clinical trial and the programme in organisational efforts and resources. Although the trials cannot act as a model, if benefits associated with the SCC are to be availed, extra staff and transport for home visiting should be provided. The aspects of the organisation which need strengthening are motivation, timely defaulter action (preferably on the same day mainly as home visit) and efficient management of large number of patients attending the clinic for supervised drug administration, adverse reaction etc., before recommending the use of SCC in the DTP.