E-DRUG: drug companies agree to stop single artemisinine? (4)
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The appointment of Dr. Arata Kochi is perhaps the best
thing that has happened to people concerned with
malaria in Africa and Asia. His track record in TB is
impressive and commendable. He does not have to be
popular. The war is not about popularity, it is about
saving lives. Malaria does not negotiate or discuss
with its victims (most vulnerable being children and
pregnant women), it kills them. Let all of us join
hands with this pragmatic and result-oriented
gentleman in this malaria crusade. It is war we must
win collectively.
The drug companies are profit-driven, but they should
inject a bit of humanity into their capitalism
otherwise the result will be disastrous. Given the
untold hardship malaria causes globally, they ought to
rally round Kochi.
Production of artemisinin monotherapy should be
outlawed. Dr. Kochi should tell Health Ministers this
loud and clear. It can be done by national
governments. Any govt that defaults should be severely
sanctioned because it is encouraging resistance and
sending ACT to an early grave.
I know in some of the developing countries, importers
(business men) and the pharma industry still promote
monotherapy, but if WHO should prevail on their govts,
action will be taken.
More grease to your elbows Dr. Arata Kochi. I am sure
you are a winner!
Professor 'Fola Tayo
Dept. of Clinical Pharmacy & Biopharmacy,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos,
Lagos University teaching Hospital Campus,
Lagos. Nigeria.
folatayo2001@yahoo.com.
E-DRUG: drug companies agree to stop single artemisinine? (6)
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Dear all,
I am confused about this energetic campaign promoting combined ACT when we
look at the extremely poor list of WHO pre-qualified antimalarial drugs.
There is only one ACT (combined) in this list as I saw today (artemether/lumefantrine) and another two single artemisine derivatives artesunate and artemotil.
The latest list (5th edition) was published in March 2006 (see
http://mednet3.who.int/prequal/)and it should be normally (at least I would
like to use it as such) a basic policy document to promote the introduction
of ACT.
But I cannot use it and it does not look as evolving soon.
So, how could we recommend good quality ACT to the governments where we work?
Policy making needs also to get practical solutions, otherwise we will not
move ahead!
regards
Dr. Olaf Valverde Mordt, DTM&H, MSc PHDC
Coordinator for Access to Essential Medicines
Medecins Sans Frontieres /Dokter Lintas Batas
Jl. Kemang Utara 32
Jakarta Selatan 12730
Indonesia
Tel. (62-21) 7195947
Fax. (62-21) 7195948
e-mail direct mailto:msfb-jakarta-access@msf.be
e-mail office mailto:msfb-jakarta@msf.be
http://www.msf.org
http://www.accessmed-msf.org
E-DRUG: drug companies agree to stop single artemisinine? (7)
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I agree no less with prof.Fola Tayo on the appointment
of Dr. Arata Kochi as the battle is not about
popularity. My advice to Dr. Arata however is that
African Govts should be told that research is capital
intensive and there is the need for funding of our
research institutes and universities so that we can
come up with equivalent or better antimalarials than
the chinese. It is a shame that we rely on
antimalarials from other countries, when nature has
gracefully endowed us with the materials for solving
this problem. African scientists are drifting to
developed countries especially the USA and UK
daily. African govts should provide the enabling
environment to make their countries greener and not
yellow pasture where people run from. The fight
against malaria in especially Africa is both
scientific and political.
Doc. Take note, it is a big challenge.
Martins Emeje,MPSN
Pharmaceutics and Drug delivery unit,
National Institute for Pharmaceutical
Research and Development,
Abuja,
Nigeria
martinsemeje@yahoo.com