Leveraging the convening power of the world’s most influential technical malaria experts at the 5th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) conference in Nairobi, PSI (Population Services International) will present ground-breaking baseline research on the availability of life-saving antimalarials in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries. Through a week-long series of events, including participation in over 15 oral and poster presentations and a private screening of a documentary highlighting Kenya’s strides toward malaria control at a MIM-sanctioned “Kenya Night,” PSI will present best practices on innovative, comprehensive malaria treatment initiatives and evidence-based control efforts.
At the start of the conference, ACTwatch, a research project of PSI funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will announce initial findings of their unprecedented, quality-assured research on the affordability and accessibility of antimalarials. Standardized surveys collected in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine indicate that the most effective antimalarials – artimisinin combinations therapies (ACTs) – continue to have a startlingly low presence in the overall market, despite a universal urge from the World Health Organization to use these drugs as first-line treatment. Baseline data, collected from over 19,000 outlets across the seven countries, show that ACTs represent only 2 to 25% of overall antimalarial market share, while monotherapies, though ineffective, remain market leaders.
“PSI is pleased to be working with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on this landmark study,” said Dr. Desmond Chavasse, Vice President of Malaria Control and Child Survival at PSI. “We believe that our research will help policy makers and others to forge a positive way forward on ensuring that all people have access to these life-saving medicines.”
ACTwatch will present their findings at a press conference on Monday afternoon, where Dr. Chavasse will discuss the impact of the data on efforts to make effective malaria treatments available and affordable. Also participating in the press conference are Dr. Peter Olumese (World Health Organization), Dr. Ambrose Talisuna (Medicines for Malaria Venture) and Oliver Sabot (The Clinton Foundation). The press conference will preview a day-long joint symposium hosted by PSI and partners to be held the following day where increasing access to ACTs will be discussed.
Prior to MIM, PSI will also be conducting several site visits with journalists, research partners and other stakeholders to highlight key operational and clinical research findings that will be announced at the conference. Visits to Uganda and Tanzania will provide an in-depth look at the importance, efficacy and availability of ACTs in a country-specific context.
For more information on the site visits or to arrange an interview with Dr. Desmond Chavasse, please contact Trey Watkins as indicated above.
For more information on ACTwatch, visit www.ACTwatch.info.
About PSI
PSI is a leading global health organization with programs targeting malaria, child survival, HIV, reproductive health and non-communicable disease. Working in partnership within the public and private sectors, and harnessing the power of the markets, PSI provides life-saving products, clinical services and behavior change communications that empower the world’s most vulnerable populations to lead healthier lives. staging.psi-2017.flywheelsites.com.
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