ASAQ... Simple Simple regimen
A 1-tablet-a-day dosing regimen for the most at-risk population, children, means that ASAQ is easy-to-use and will help to improve treatment compliance, thereby reducing the risk of emerging resistance. As a co-formulation, ASAQ avoids the risk that patients would take only one active ingredient and ensures that both drugs are taken together and in correct proportions. All age groups will have treatment regimens of once-a-day dosing for 3 days: 1 tablet/day for children up to 13 years of age (≤35 kg) or 2 tablets/day for adolescents aged 14 years and above and adults (≥36 kg).
Simplified 3-Day Dose Regimen of ASAQ
Simple prescription, adapted to children
The needs of children, the primary victims of malaria, are specifically addressed by ASAQ. To optimize dosing for each age range, and to avoid over- and under-dosing, three different presentations are available for children between 2 months and 13 years of age. Colour coding helps to identify the different dosages.
Tablets are small: 8 mm diameter for infants, 10 mm for young children, and 13 mm for children. They are also easily crushable and can be administered with liquids or semi-liquid food.
Simple management & storage
Based on public sector and NGO experience, blister and box sizes were minimized to save as much space as possible so as to reduce shipping, storage, and delivery costs.
- Public market and pharmacies involved in the sanofi-aventis “Access Card Programme (CAP)”: 1 box with 25 blisters of 3 or 6 tablets per blister.
- Private market: 1 blister of 3 or 6 tablets per box. Each blister contains a complete 3-day treatment.
Early stability studies support a 2-year shelf-life recommendation for tropical conditions. Additional ongoing studies may support an extended shelf-life.
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