FG intensifies checks on anti-malaria drugs

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The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that
measures have been put in place to reduce the
proliferation of anti-malaria drugs in the country.
To deal with the health challenges associated with
malaria, the government would need over $700m to
fight the menace between now and 2016.
The Coordinator of National Malaria Elimination
Programme, Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe, stated this in an
exclusive interview with THE PUNCH on the sidelines
of an interactive session with journalists on private
sector co-payment mechanism for improving access
to malaria medicine.
She said, “We already have a GAP analysis of the
amount of money we need to address the issue of
malaria between now and 2016. It is over $700m.
“The only drug we recognise is ACT, Artemisinin
Combination Therapy. We are saying that
Chloroquine is not recommended for the treatment of
malaria.
“Oral Artemisinin in any form is not recommended
for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. The only
medicine that is recommended is ACT. One of the
steps we are taking to prevent proliferation of anti-
malaria drugs is through the media. Let the media
tell them where we stand. Tell them that they should
take ACT for uncomplicated malaria.”
Speaking on the best drug for pregnant women
having malaria, she said the NMEP has developed a
package for pregnant women.
She said, “We have a strategy for malaria in
pregnancy. We are advocating that every pregnant
woman must register early for ante-natal care.
“From each visit when the pregnancy is 16 weeks
upwards, every pregnant woman should ask for IPTC,
which means Intermittent Preventive Treatment in
Pregnancy.
“When every pregnant woman is able to access this
throughout the pregnancy, she should be free of
malaria. If a pregnant women come down with
malaria, that person will be treated like any other
person.”
Experts at the programme including the Malaria
Programme Director, Society for Family Health, Dr.
Ernest Nwokolo, called on the public to always insist
on N150 for audit dose of 24 tablets ACT.
Nwokolo said, “State governments are encouraged to
key into the ACT co-payment mechanism for their
respective states. The Global Fund Task Force is
available to offer technical assistance on setting up
this Private Public Partnership at the state level.
“Philanthropists and companies are encouraged to
key into the private sector co-payment funding
system in order to help their states or populations of
interest.”