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Kenya Innovates Anti-Malarial Drug

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Kenya Innovates Anti-Malarial Drug

(3 Minutes Read)

The Kenya-based Universal Corporation Limited last year received the World Health Organisation’s approval to produce a crucial antimalarial drug known as sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine, or Spaq.

Malaria still haunts Africa. The deadly mosquito-borne disease refused to go away from the continent despite the homogenous efforts of the local governments and multilateral organizations.  As the world organized Malaria Day on 25th April, a slimmer of hope permeated across the continent, which would have witnessed the maximum toll of lives due to the perennial malaria parasites.

Amidst this, the Kenya-based Universal Corporation Limited last year received the World Health Organisation’s approval to produce a crucial antimalarial drug known as sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine, or Spaq.

This was an important step in Africa’s capacity to make lifesaving medications, a new focus for governments and public health officials after vulnerabilities were exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Africa relies heavily on drug imports. Experts feel that this will help in lowering the dependency on imports of drugs.

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https://trendsnafrica.com/sadc-released-us-1-million-to-zambia-for-malaria-matchbox/

Michael Mungoma, Dean of the School of Pharmacy at Mount Kenya University, stresses the urgent need for increased investment to address diseases affecting low and middle-income countries. Kenya’s health ministry hasn’t said when the vaccine will be widely available but as the East African nation joins the rest of the world on April 25 in marking World Malaria Day, hope is on the horizon.