Objective: to analyze the managers' speeches about the policy transfer of the directly observed treatment (DOT) for tuberculosis control in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
Method: this is a qualitative study developed in May and June, 2013 through semi-directed interviews with twenty health professionals in five health districts in João Pessoa/PB. The empirical material produced was analyzed according to the theoretical-analytical basis of the French Discourse Analysis by Pêcheux.
Results: the study demonstrated weaknesses in the conduction and organization of actions in relation to the DOT. It revealed that the lack of knowledge of the managers about this policy has direct implications to the care of tuberculosis patients.
Conclusion: the management should trace strategic plans to rethink the care practices and thus, reorganize the entire care network to users in order to effectively contribute to user adherence in the fight against tuberculosis.