Comparative Cost and Availabilty of Artemisinin-Based Combination Drugs in Benin City, Nigeria-a multicentre sampling

Abstract

Due to the change in the policy governing the treatment of malaria in Nigeria, it became necessary to assess the cost and availability of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies (ACTs) in Benin City, Nigeria. This study was carried out using structured data forms that were systematically randomized in twenty-three pharmaceutical outlets on the streets and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Seven types of Artemisinin-Based Combination Drugs were available in Benin City, Nigeria. These accounted for the forty-seven brands from different companies. There was a significant difference in cost per unit pack of treatment in the pharmaceutical shops and the tertiary institution (p<0.05). Artemether-Lumefantrine was the most expensive 1237.50±3.62 (Naira) and Artesunate-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine 545.21±1.62 (Naira) as least expensive. Reports showed that there were reduced stocks of Chloroquine available. Others drugs such as Artemether, Artesunate, Artheether and Quinine were available as monotherapies for oral and parenteral use. Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and Pyrimethamine were available as prophylactic antimalarials. Other combinations such as Piperaquine-Dihydroartemisinin-Trimethoprim, Piperaquine-Dihydroartemisinin-Trimethoprim-primaquine, Pyronaridine-Artesunate, Naphthoquine-Dihydroartemisinin, Artesunate-Chloroquine, Chlorproguanil-Dapsone plus artesunate were unavailable. The report showed that some ACTs were expensive and available in Benin City. It is therefore suggested that concerted efforts should be made to reduce cost and enhance availability of the drugs.