Tuberculosis Medications Program

There are eligibility requirements for accessing latent TB infection (LTBI) medications through MDH, dependent upon budget constraints and/or drug shortages. See TB Medications Program Eligibility for more information.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention and Control Program's TB Medications Program serves to eliminate financial barriers to medication for the treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) or active TB disease for state residents. When possible, the program coordinates with a contracted pharmacy to bill individuals' prescription insurance while covering related co-pays, so that TB medications are always at no cost to the patients.

On this page:
Medications for latent TB infection
Medication for active TB disease
Letters

Medication for latent TB infection

1. Review TB Medications Program Eligibility to verify the patient is eligible for medication from the Minnesota Department of Health at no-cost to the patient.
2. Review CDC: Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Guide for Primary Health Care Providers (PDF) to determine the most effective treatment for your patient. CDC and MDH promote the use of shorter regimens to increase patient completion rates. The regimens of 4R or 3HR can be advantageous over 3HP if your patient requires assistance with adherence or is adverse to the need to take numerous pills simultaneously. 4R and 3HR are lower cost regimens as well. The following document provides guidance to treatment completion criteria.
   • Minnesota provider guide: Latent TB Infection (LTBI) completion criteria (PDF)
3. The provider should complete and submit the request form to MDH using the following online survey:
   • REDCap: TB Medications Program Eligibility and Use online survey
     • Providers may choose to use the printable document below as a tool to gather patient information needed for the online REDCap survey:
       Latent TB Infection (LTBI) Request Information Worksheet (PDF)
4. Through our contracted pharmacy, MDH ships the patient's first month supply of LTBI medication within 5 – 7 business days, to the designated health care professional, licensed to administer medications.
5. Complete the form that was included with the first shipment.
   • LTBI Medication Start Date Verification Form (PDF)
     Fax completed form to: 1-800-296-0993
   • Upon receiving this verification, MDH will ship monthly refills until the order is filled.
   • If treatment is discontinued for any reason or if the patient is lost to follow-up, please contact MDH at 651-201-5414 ASAP to stop shipments.
6. The health care professional that receives medication shipments is responsible for monitoring the patient for adverse drug reactions and adherence to the regimen. The timing and type of monitoring activities should be done according to CDC guidelines for each regimen.
   • Tools to assist with with monitoring activities during LTBI treatment:
     • Monitoring Flow Sheet for INH+RPT (3HP) Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Treatment (PDF)
     • Monitoring Flow Sheet for 4R, 3HR, 6H, or 9H Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Treatment (PDF)
   • Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Tuberculosis
     MDH screening and treatment recommendations for persons exposed to MDR TB and monitoring tool for patients receiving MDR LTBI treatment.

LTBI medication prescription templates

• 3HR Medication Prescription (PDF)
• 3HP Medication Prescription (PDF)
• 4R, 6H, or 9H Medication Prescription (PDF)
• B6 Medication Prescription (PDF)

More about LTBI medications

• CDC: Treatment Regimens for Latent TB Infection (LTBI)
  Quick-reference dosing table from the CDC for LTBI medication.
• TB Basics
  Fact sheets for patients, including fact sheets on LTBI treatment and specific LTBI medications.
• CDC: Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Maximizing Adherence
  Fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that presents practical techniques for increasing patient adherence to LTBI treatment. Please contact MDH staff for additional guidance.
• National Tuberculosis Controllers Association: Interjurisdictional Transfers
  Includes the notification form to standardize the transfer of TB clients. Please consult with MDH TB staff before completing this form.
• CDC MMRW: Update of Recommendations for Use of Once-Weekly Isoniazid-Rifapentine Regimen to Treat Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection.
  June 29, 2018
• Using the Isoniazid/Rifapentine Regimen to Treat Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI)
  Provider guidance from the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association
• Red Book Online: Tuberculosis Treatment

Medication for active TB disease

1. To request medications for treatment of active TB disease, the provider should contact the MDH TB Nurse Case Manager at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414.
2. The provider will be asked to provide pertinent clinical and demographic information, a copy of the prescription(s), patient prescription insurance information.
   Request for Active Tuberculosis Medications (Presumed/Confirmed) (PDF)
3. Medications will be sent monthly to the designated clinic, local public health agency, or other provider licensed to administer medications.
4. If a patient being treated for active TB disease stops therapy, fails to pick up medications, or if treatment is discontinued, please contact the MDH TB Nurse Case Manager immediately.

Letters

• Letter to Tuberculosis Providers (PDF)
  January 30, 2017
• Letter to Local Public Health Tuberculosis Partners (PDF)
  January 30, 2017