Nigeria bears the world’s highest malaria burden, contributing nearly 27% of global cases, as highlighted in the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report.
Substantial financial losses and regional disparities compound the country’s struggle against this pervasive disease.
Citizens are also struggling with inflation and can’t afford basic medications to treat the disease.
The risk of malaria transmission looms throughout the year in Nigeria, with an estimated 68 million cases and a staggering 194,000 deaths annually. Notably, the northern and northeastern regions face the brunt of this epidemic.
Shedding light on the financial implications, a leading biotechnology and genetic engineering professor revealed that Nigeria suffers a loss of N75.5 billion with each cycle of malaria treatment.
The breakdown showcases the financial strain borne by individuals: an average spend of 2000 naira per uncomplicated malaria case sums up to 136 billion naira annually, while complicated malaria treatments, costing around 20,000 naira per case, total a staggering 1.36 trillion naira yearly.
Nairametrics conducted a survey ranking the most expensive antimalarial medicines available in Nigeria. Here are some key findings:
- Camosunate Adult: Price range – N1500 to N2100. This brand by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd. combines Artesunate and Amodiaquine to treat uncomplicated malaria.
- Artequick Tablets: Price range – N2000 to N2100. Manufactured by Artepharm Co. Ltd., it contains Artemisinin and Piperaquine for treating uncomplicated malaria.
- P-Alaxin Tablets: Price range – N1300 to N2500. This artemisinin-based therapy by BLISS CVS PHARMA Ltd. is used against malaria and is marketed by Greenlife Pharmaceuticals.
- Amatem Forte Soft Gel: Price range – N2500 to N3000. Made by Olive Healthcare in India and marketed by Elbe Pharma Nigeria Limited, these capsules treat chloroquine and sulphadoxine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
- Lonart DS: Price range – N2500 to N3500. Manufactured by BLISS GVS PHARMA Ltd., this tablet treats multi-drug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum.
- Coartem: Price range – N3500 to N5000. A product of Novartis, this medication is used for uncomplicated malaria.
- Paludrine Tablets: Price range – N2000 to N2500 per sachet. Patients might require multiple sachets. Produced by Alliance Pharmaceuticals, it prevents malaria.
- E Mal Injection: Price range – N4000 to N6000. Fidson Healthcare in Nigeria produces this treatment for uncomplicated malaria.
- Artequin Adult Tablets: Price range – N10,000 to N20,000. Made by Acino in Switzerland, it treats malaria resistant to other drugs.
- Malanil: Price range – N50,000 to N55,000. Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), these tablets treat chloroquine-resistant malaria.
