Editorial: The Need for Locally Developed Formulations

Abstract

The 1994 malaria epidemic in the lake (Victoria) basin created a crisis of unprecedent proportions in the Gusii highlands, which outstretched healthcare resources beyond their capacity. Such transmission upsurges often coincide with the long rains thus triggering characteristic epidemics in the highlands surrounding Lake Victoria. The scenes in public healthcare facilities were heart wrenching, a sad display of suffering and frustration for both overworked healthcare workers and desperate patients. Several patients including children developed malaria complications and many deaths were recorded. At the time, the first line drug for case management was chloroquine, but due to resistance quinine was frequently used as an IV infusion followed by oral dosage upon discharge of the patients. However, oral quinine was only available as tablets of 300 mg strength which presented a problem in the management of paediatric patients.