Use of Anti-malarial Drugs in Africa: Analysis of Outpatient Prescriptions
OBJECTIVE: To probe into the drug use in patients with malaria for clinical references of rational drug use. METHODS: The prescriptions of outpatients with malaria in local clinics in Africa between Aug. 2010 and Mar. 2011 were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: There was malaria transmission in any month throughout the whole year, and the consumption amount of anti-malarial drug in rainy season was more than that in dry season. Among the total 287 outpatients' prescriptions for malaria, dihydroartemisinin piperaquine phosphate tablets( DPPT) took the lead with 113(39. 37% ), followed by artemether injection with 65(22. 65% ) and artesunate for injection with 46( 16. 03% ). CONCLUSION: Arteannuin is safe and effective anti-malarial therapy of first choice. Medical staff working in Africa should get full understanding of various anti-malarial drugs and adopt optimal therapy based on action mechanism and characteristics so as to promote clinical rational drug use.
MalariaPrescriptionInvestigation and analysisArteannuin anti-malarial drugsRational drug use