New Initiative Will Help Reduce Malaria Drug Prices
The Affordable Medicines Facility for Malaria (AMFm) was launched Friday, April 17th, to ensure that those suffering from malaria have access to inexpensive and effective treatment. The AMFm will reduce the price of effective malaria drugs (artemesinin-based combination therapies, ACTs), in order to drive out older, ineffective drugs (like those containing chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) from the market.
ACTs are currently 10-40 times more expensive over the counter than their less effective counterparts. Due to the higher price, many patients continue to purchase the cheaper, less effective drugs. Presently, only one out of every five malaria patients has access to ACTs. With the AMFm, this figure is expected to change, as those who pay for treatments will likely see the price of ACTs go from $6-10 per treatment to about $0.20-0.50. The initiative’s first phase will launch in Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda.
This innovative initiative to bring down the price of effective malaria drugs, which will be hosted and managed by the Global Fund, was developed by Roll-Back Malaria (RBM). RBM is a global malaria partnership that includes the World Bank, UNICEF, the Dutch Government, the Global Fund, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Clinton Foundation. The cost of $225-233 million needed for medicines in the first two years will be supported by UNITAID and the United Kingdom government.
To learn more, read the press release here.
-Rena Pacheco-Theard
- Comment Guidelines
Blog Contributors
Hot Topics
-
Fight the Famine, Feed the Future
ONE is campaigning to ensure that the Congressional budget does not cut foreign assistance programs like Feed the Future that help people break the cycle of poverty and hunger. -
Crisis in the Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years. More than 11 million people, mostly nomadic pastoralists and farmers in south-central Somalia, north-eastern Kenya, and south-eastern Ethiopia, are severely lacking access to food. -
The Beginning of the End of AIDS
2011 marks 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were documented. Take a closer look at the specific, achievable goals we must hit by 2015 to make this year the beginning of the end of AIDS. -
Agriculture Accountability
As aid agencies warn more than 9 million people could be affected by a food crisis in East Africa, world leaders are failing to keep their 2009 promises to tackle the causes of chronic hunger and support farmers in the world's poorest countries.
From Our Members
-
Our question on faith and development, answered by the White House
Feb 9th, 2012 | Posted by Field -
Remembering ONE member Laurence Carolin on Airplane Day
Feb 8th, 2012 | Posted by Field -
Rep. Dicks is not the Norm… he’s a champion
Feb 3rd, 2012 | Posted by Field
From Our Partners
-
US aid for water, sanitation and hygiene should benefit the poor
Feb 9th, 2012 | Posted by Guest Blogger -
Six Valentine’s Day gifts
Feb 9th, 2012 | Posted by Paulena Papagiannis -
Remembering ONE member Laurence Carolin on Airplane Day
Feb 8th, 2012 | Posted by Field
