Malaria drug shortages in Kenya: a major failure to provide access to effective treatment

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2009 May;80(5):737-8.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / supply & distribution*
  • Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination
  • Artemisinins / supply & distribution*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Packaging
  • Ethanolamines / supply & distribution*
  • Fluorenes / supply & distribution*
  • Government Regulation
  • Health Facilities / standards*
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • International Cooperation
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Malaria / epidemiology*
  • Malaria / prevention & control*
  • Public Health Administration / standards*

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination
  • Artemisinins
  • Drug Combinations
  • Ethanolamines
  • Fluorenes