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

Beth B. Kangwana Malaria Public Health and Epidemiology Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Programme Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Red Cross, Malindi, Kenya; Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control/Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya; Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of International Health, School of Public Health and Center for International Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, United Kingdom

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Julius Njogu Malaria Public Health and Epidemiology Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Programme Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Red Cross, Malindi, Kenya; Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control/Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya; Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of International Health, School of Public Health and Center for International Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, United Kingdom

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Beatrice Wasunna Malaria Public Health and Epidemiology Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Programme Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Red Cross, Malindi, Kenya; Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control/Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya; Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of International Health, School of Public Health and Center for International Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, United Kingdom

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Sarah V. Kedenge Malaria Public Health and Epidemiology Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Programme Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Red Cross, Malindi, Kenya; Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control/Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya; Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of International Health, School of Public Health and Center for International Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, United Kingdom

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Dorothy N. Memusi Malaria Public Health and Epidemiology Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Programme Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Red Cross, Malindi, Kenya; Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control/Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya; Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of International Health, School of Public Health and Center for International Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, United Kingdom

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Catherine A. Goodman Malaria Public Health and Epidemiology Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Programme Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Red Cross, Malindi, Kenya; Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control/Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya; Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of International Health, School of Public Health and Center for International Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, United Kingdom

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Dejan Zurovac Malaria Public Health and Epidemiology Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Programme Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Red Cross, Malindi, Kenya; Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control/Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya; Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of International Health, School of Public Health and Center for International Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, United Kingdom

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Robert W. Snow Malaria Public Health and Epidemiology Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute/Wellcome Trust Programme Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya Red Cross, Malindi, Kenya; Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control/Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya; Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Department of International Health, School of Public Health and Center for International Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, United Kingdom

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2009.80.737
Volume/Issue:
Volume 80: Issue 5
Page(s):
737–738
Restricted access
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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.

Copyright:
Copyright 2009 The American Society of Tropical Medicine 2009
Received:
03 Dec 2008
|
Accepted:
16 Feb 2009
|
Published Online:
May 2009
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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