Malaria Drug Shortages in Kenya: A Major Failure to Provide Access to Effective Treatment

A key bench mark of successful therapeutic policy implementation, and thus effectiveness, is that the recommended drugs are available at the point of care. Two years after artemether-lumefathrine (AL) was introduced for the management of uncomplicated malaria in Kenya, we carried out a cross-section...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 80; no. 6
Main Authors:	Kangwana, B B, Njogu, J, Wasunna, B, Kedenge, S V, Memusi, D N, Goodman, CA, Zurovac, D, Snow, R W
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	01-06-2009
Subjects:	Kenya
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	A key bench mark of successful therapeutic policy implementation, and thus effectiveness, is that the recommended drugs are available at the point of care. Two years after artemether-lumefathrine (AL) was introduced for the management of uncomplicated malaria in Kenya, we carried out a cross-sectional survey to investigate AL availability in government facilities in seven malaria-endemic districts. One of four of the surveyed facilities had none of the four AL weight-specific treatment packs in stock; three of four facilities were out of stock of at least one weight-specific AL pack, leading health workers to prescribe a range of inappropriate alternatives. The shortage was in large part caused by a delayed procurement process. National ministries of health and the international community must address the current shortcomings facing antimalarial drug supply to the public sector.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 content type line 23 ObjectType-Feature-2
ISSN:	0002-9637