Don’t Use Chloroquine, Artesunate For Malaria Treatment– Who Warns Nigerians

The World Health Organisation placed a global ban on the
use of chloroquine and Artesunate in 2005.


Nigerians have been advised against the
use of Chloroquine and Artesunate for the treatment of malaria.
Nnenna Ezeigwe, National Coordinator, National Malaria
Control Programme, gave the advice in an interview with the
News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.

She, however, recommended that
people should take only Artemisinin Combination Therapy, ACTs, when they test
positive for malaria.
“If your test result is positive, take only Artemisinin
Combination Therapy (ACTs). Do not treat malaria with
chloroquine, artesunate or other
monotherapies.
“The ACT with green leaf is good quality and affordable; Ask for it,’’ she said.

When contacted, Adeline Osakwe,
Deputy Director,
Pharmacovigilance, Food and Drugs Information Centre,
NAFDAC, said the use of chloroquine and artesunate in Nigeria was being gradually
phased out.
“Since 2005, the use of monotherapies such as Artesunate, Chloroquine had
been discouraged in favour of Aretmisinin Combination Therapy
(ACT) for uncomplicated malaria.
“These ACTs include Arthemeter/ Lumenfantrine, Artesunate/ Amodiaquine, and other registered ones. Ms. Osakwe said
that the monotherapies are
gradually being phased out by
not registering new ones and not renewing those that their licenses had expired.”
The World Health Organisation, WHO, had placed a global ban on the use of chloroquine and
Artesunate in 2005.
Speaking on the World Malaria Day celebration, Ms. Ezeigwe advised pregnant women to
register early for ante-natal care in order to receive preventive treatment against the disease.
“Expectant mothers should demand for preventive treatment, `Intermittent
Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp)’ during ante-natal visits from 16 weeks of pregnancy,’’ she said.
She said that the Federal Government and Roll Back Malaria partners had over the last decade committed huge
resources to ensure that malaria was brought under control.
She said that the efforts had led to a reduction in malaria
prevalence by more than eight per cent, adding that much more needed to be done.
Ms. Ezeigwe called on the private sector, the media, and the
academia to play active roles in the fight against Malaria.
“It is only working together that we can end the needless
suffering and deaths caused by Malaria.
“Keep your environment clean
and free of puddles, and always sleep inside long lasting
insecticide treated nets.
“Wear protective clothing against
mosquitoes when necessary, and
always get tested before you treat for Malaria,’’ she said.
Source - NAN