Research
Malaria treatment failures after artemisinin-based therapy in three expatriates: could improved manufacturer information help to decrease the risk of treatment failure ?
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* Corresponding author: Yves Jackson yves.jackson@hcuge.ch
1 Travel and Migration Medicine Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Rue Micheli-du-Crest 24, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
2 UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, World Health Organisation, Av. Appia 20, Geneva, Switzerland
Malaria Journal 2006, 5:81 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-5-81
Published: 4 October 2006Abstract
Background
Artemisinin-containing therapies are highly effective against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Insufficient numbers of tablets and inadequate package inserts result in sub-optimal dosing and possible treatment failure. This study reports the case of three, non-immune, expatriate workers with P. falciparum acquired in Africa, who failed to respond to artemisinin-based therapy. Sub-therapeutic dosing in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations was the probable cause.
Method
Manufacturers information and drug content included in twenty-five artemisinin-containing specialities were reviewed.
Results
A substantial number of manufacturers do not follow current WHO recommendations regarding treatment duration and doses.
Conclusion
This study shows that drug packaging and their inserts should be improved.