ASAQ product profileWith antimalarial drug resistance a global challenge, patients in malaria-endemic countries need inexpensive, efficacious, field-adapted drugs. Preserving the life span of antimalarial drugs through highly effective combination treatments is a key part of the strategy to roll back malaria.
Safe and rapidly acting, the combination of artesunate (AS) and amodiaquine (AQ) is one of the antimalarial drug combinations recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for Africa 1. Fixed-dose formulations, which are easier to use and ensure drugs are taken together and in correct proportions, are needed but are often not available for children 2. For the approximately 3,000 African children dying every day due to malaria 3, such an innovation could make a major difference.
This fixed-dose combination of AS and AQ was developed by the FACT partners managed by the non-profit product development organization, DNDi, and with the involvement since 2004 of the world’s fourth–largest pharmaceutical company, sanofi-aventis. ASAQ will simplify treatment: 1 tablet a day for children, the population most at risk, over 3 days to treat uncomplicated malaria.
Available under the name Artesunate-Amodiaquine Winthrop® (ASAQ) for public market and the brand name Coarsucam® for private market, ASAQ has four key features:
Adapted...
- To WHO recommendations
- To needs of patients of all ages
- From two well-known drugs with proven efficacy and safety |
Accessible...
- Available
- Affordable
- Non-patented
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Simple...
- Regimen that is easy to use
- Prescription
- Management and storage |
Quality...
- Formulation
- Development
- Manufacturing
- Implementation
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1. Guidelines for the treatment of malaria. World Health Organization. 2006, p. 21 & 23.
2. WHO Director General Margaret Chan opening speech to the 120th session of Executive Board. Speech made in Geneva on 22 January 2007.
Available at http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2007/eb120_opening
3. Global Forum for Health Research. Monitoring Financial Flows for Health Research. Geneva: 2006, p. 91.
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