Roll-Out Of New Anti-Malaria Drug, Eurartesim(R) Begun

Date: Jul-09-2012Eurartesim(R) Begun

Main Category: Tropical Diseases

Article Date: 09 Jul 2012 - 0:00 PDT

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Roll-Out Of New Anti-Malaria Drug, Eurartesim(R) Begun


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Eurartesim(R) (dihydroartemisinin piperaquine: DHA-PQP), the first artemisinin
combination therapy (ACT) approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the
treatment of uncomplicated malaria, is being prepared for roll-out in several countries.
Eurartesim(R), was developed collaboratively by Sigma Tau Group, Italy, and the
not-for-profit research foundation Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).

The EMA-approved Eurartesim(R) is now ready for delivery to Cambodia, the first
malaria endemic country to place an order for this newly approved treatment. Cambodia
prioritized the use of DHA-PQP as a first line drug and was awaiting EMA approval to allow
procurement of this product using international donor funds.

The World Health Organization's standard treatment guidelines recommend DHA-PQP as a
highly effective ACT in curing uncomplicated malaria. In early June, Sigma Tau submitted
Eurartesim(R) for prequalification by the World Health Organization, a process highly
regarded by donors, and malaria-endemic countries, as an important measure of quality and
efficacy of new drugs. In addition, Sigma Tau is about to submit the drug for registration
in key African countries, e.g., Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Tanzania, Ghana and others.

Professor Trevor Jones of the Sigma-Tau Group Board of Directors commented,
"Eurartesim represents a major innovation in the fight against the malaria. We are proud
to announce that we continue to work towards achieving registration and distribution of
the drug in malaria-endemic countries where thousands of people die each year from this
disease. We are also ensuring its availability in Europe."

Although priority areas remain malaria-endemic countries, with marketing authorization
from the EMA, Sigma Tau is planning to roll-out Eurartesim(R) across Europe, for use both
by travellers to malaria-endemic countries and for imported cases of malaria in the case
of returning travellers. Eurartesim(R) is already available in pharmacies in France, UK,
Germany, Belgium and Portugal, where the number of cases have been the highest in Europe.

Eurartesim(R) was selected as the Medicines for Malaria Venture Project of the Year
2011, in recognition of its important contribution to the universe of quality-assured
efficacious medicines for curing malaria.
Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.