Nigeria: Ranbaxy Tackles Malaria With Novel Drug-Synriam

 

Just 3 tablets, Taken one daily for three days. Available at major pharmacies across Nigeria

Indian registered pharmaceutical company in Nigeria, Ranbaxy Laboratories, has promised to kick out malaria in Nigeria with its first ever New Chemical Entity (NCE), which according to the CEO and Managing Director of the company, Mr. Arun Sawhney, would address the existing challenges of resistance to available drugs, price fluctuations, supply constraints and high pill burden".

Arun told Vanguard that the India's first NCE, Synriam™ (arterolane maleate 150 mg + piperaquine phosphate 75 mg drug) conforms to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for using combination therapy in malaria. Synriam™ provides quick relief from most malaria-related symptoms, including fever, and has a high cure rate of over 95 per cent, "Most malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.

It is the need of the hour to make available new therapy options to patients in the region. Synriam™ is among the best options available today as it is highly effective, affordable and a convenient therapy option, leading to better compliance. We are confident that the drug will help the government and healthcare system in Africa to fight the menace of malaria," Arun added.He pointed out that about 169 million people in Nigeria and approximately about 32 million people in Uganda are at the risk of malaria, and in Nigeria, malaria contributes to an estimated 11 percent of maternal mortality, saying that malaria is noted the number one public health problem in most African countries, especially in Guinea where national health statistics stated that, the morbidity rate for malaria is 148/1000 population.

"While acknowledging the fact that the drug came to birth following the critical need for a new anti-malaria drug that would address the existing challenges of resistance to available drugs, price fluctuations, supply constraints and high pill burden, Arun stated,"The disease is endemic throughout Senegal, and the entire population (approximately 13.4 million) is at risk.

Vulnerable groups comprise about 2.2 million children under five and 0.5 million pregnant women, concluding that the dosage regimen for Synriam™ is simple as the patient is required to take just one tablet per day, for three days, and production can be scaled up whenever required and a consistent supply can be maintained at a low cost."Since its launch, the drug was said to have successfully treated around one million patients in India.