The fight against malaria has gone a notch higher after the introduction of a new anti - malaria drug in the market.
The drug, known as Pyramax, is a fixed dose combination of two drugs that protects a person from getting the mosquito borne illness
The drug is the first South Korean product to be included in WHO's Lists of Essential Medicines for adults and children
Perspective Healthcare Managing Director Minnie Gitau said the launch of the drug is in inline with President Uhuru Kenyatta's plan of spearheading Universal Healthcare.
"I am especially happy that we have a child-friendly version in the form of granules that are taste-masked and can be easily consumed.Those of us who have suffered the devastation of malaria know how much of a relief a good, effective drug can be. Patients will also need to remember to take the full dose in order to achieve complete cure." Giatu said.
Head of the Malaria Control Unit Erjesa Waqo said the drug will be added to the other anti malarial drugs that are in the market.
"I can not say that it is going to replace the others but it is available for use. It has also been registered with the pharmacies and poisons board." Waqo said.
Waqo also cautioned Kenyans against purchasing any anti malarial drugs over the counter.
"I would like to tell Kenyans to first do tests if they have malaria like symptoms. If the tests come back positive, then the clinician will prescribe the medication." Waqo added.
Perspective Healthcare will be marketing the drug across the region while SurgiPharm will distribute it.
Malaria is among the top thee killers of children below the age of five in the country.
Kenya has made great making great strides in preventing and controlling malaria in the past 15 years.
It has issued insecticide treated bed nets, sprayed people’s homes with insecticides and ensured that there is widespread diagnostic testing.
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