Aid on Spreadsheets

Rational dosage schedules of artemisinin based combination treatment for malaria developed in collaboration between Sweden and Uganda

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a public health problem killing 0.9 million people yearly-most of them children in Africa South of Sahara. Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) of short-acting artermisinin derivatives and long acting compounds are WHO recommended first line therapy. Alarming reports from Asia suggest that the sensitivity of artemisinin compounds in treating malaria may be decreasing. Consequently, correct dosages of ACT:s are critical to preserve the efficacy of these essential antimalarials in Africa. This project reevaluates recommended dosage regimens of ACT:s in treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Africa. We focus on improving the pediatric dosages of ACT:s and to investigate if locally available cooking oil may provide predictable absorption of lumefantrine, one of the most used ACT partner drugs. This collaborative project between Uganda and Sweden will strengthen competence in rational drug dosage principles in the two countries. A clinical pharmacology centre on rational drug therapy of infectious diseases including malaria and HIV/AIDS will be established in Uganda. Our collaboration builds on 10 years of joint research and training. We use state of the art methods in clinical drug design, in clinical research, in drug analysis and in concentration-effect modelling. The grant contributes to train junior and senior staff in Uganda and Sweden by frequent short visits to learn from each other and strengthen collaboration.

Project ID

SE-0-29-2011-7381-285-12262

Activity status

2 - Implementation

Aid type

D02 - Other technical assistance

% to Uganda

100.00

Organisations

Funding

Sweden

Implementing

Karolinska Institutet

Extending

None

CRS code	%
Malaria control (12262)	100.0