Anti-malarials: Solutions For A Global Problem

Online, April 19, 2013 (Newswire.com) - There are some alarming statistics regarding Malaria. Geographically, half of the world's population is at risk for contracting Malaria. It is an endemic disease spreading around the equator, inflicting fatalities (85-90%) in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the Malaria Atlas Project(2010),as many as 100 countries are highly at risk. Every year, 125 million international travelers visit these countries, and more than 30,000 become infected. In 2010, the World Health Organization estimated that between 660,000 to 1.2million people died from Malaria. That is about 2,000 to 3,000 deaths per day, or one child every 30 seconds; those under the age of five with less developed immune systems are most susceptible.

So what is Malaria? It is a parasitic disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes infected by the plasmodium parasites. These parasites lodge in the liver to mature and multiply. Within a month, 40,000 replications burst out infecting oxygen bearing red blood cells. What begins as flu-like symptoms could lead to life-threatening conditions such as brain damage, severe anemia, and kidney failure. Survivors are often left with permanent neurological damage.

Various strains of the plasmodium parasite exist but the vast majority of deaths are caused by P. falciparum and P. vivax. AdvaCare's AccuQuik range of medical test kits including Malaria Pf & Pv Antibody Rapid Test specifically target these 2 dangerous strains. This 1-step test kit is simple and reliable with accurate qualitative results obtainable in just 10 to 15 minutes. Produced according to ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 standards, they are available as strips or cassettes, and could also be manufactured under a client's brand name and custom-packaged according to their specifications.

Artemisinin based medications are the drug of choice amongst antimalarials. When paired with another antimalarial, it is known as Artemisinin-Combination Therapy(ACT). This reduces the development of resistance in the parasite to any single drug component. A prime example of ACT is AdvaCare's Artemether and Lumefantrine Tablets. This potent combination achieves cure rates of up to 95% even in cases of multi-drug resistance. Another recommended combination is Dihydroartemisinin and Piperaquine Powder for Suspension which is about 90% effective when used to treat uncomplicated malaria. Well tolerated with less adverse side effects even in children, it also has the benefit of superior protection against recurrence of P. falciparum. Where oral ingestion of medication is ineffective or difficult to administer, AdvaCare's Artemether Injection, provides an intravenous or intramuscular solution. Targeting both strains of malarial parasites, it is available as a mono-therapy but more commonly used in combination with another antimalarial. AdvaCare's brand, ArteCare, is a leading product in most countries with high infection rates for malaria.

Increased malaria prevention and control measures have dramatically reduced this epidemic in many places. Malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25% globally since 2000 and by 33% in the WHO African Region. Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduces disease and prevents deaths. It also contributes to reducing transmission. Prevention, achievable through the spread of awareness and the adoption of measures such as sleeping under long-lasting insecticidal nets protects against malaria. To these ends, AdvaCare is a stakeholder in the fight against malaria.