Many Nigerians claim that the malaria drugs they have been prescribed have failed to cure them of the disease. This is said to be the case even when recommended treatments (artemisinin combination therapies [ACTs]) have been given. Dr Babajide Coker, Coordinator of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), has said that public concerns over this issue will be taken seriously and that 14 sentinel sites have been established across Nigeria to monitor the efficacy of the drugs currently being used.
The problem may well be attributable to counterfeit drugs; it is well known that many of the antimalarials available on the Nigerian market (including ACTs) are fake or substandard. However, the NMCP must be applauded for addressing what seems to be a growing belief in the country that even the recommended treatments for malaria are no longer effective. Dr Coker is reported to have stated that he can vouch for the effectiveness of recommended antimalarials but that public concerns “will not be treated with kid gloves”.
Dr Coker made his comments at a workshop at which concerns were also raised as to the lack of information provided to the public on the correct use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
Further details area available in an allAfrica.com report.
http://blog.tropika.net/tropika/2010/09/22/nigerians-losing-confidence-in-antimalarials/
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