Closing the access barrier for effective anti-malarials in the private sector in rural Uganda: consortium for ACT private sector subsidy (CAPSS) pilot study

• Published in: Malaria Journal
• Main Authors: Talisuna Ambrose O, Daumerie Penny, Balyeku Andrew, Egan Timothy, Piot Bram, Coghlan Renia, Lugand Maud, Bwire Godfrey, Rwakimari John, Ndyomugyenyi Richard, Kato Fred, Byangire Maria, Kagwa Paul, Sebisubi Fred, Nahamya David, Bonabana Angela, Mpanga-Mukasa Susan, Buyungo Peter, Lukwago Julius, Batte Allan, Nakanwagi Grace, Tibenderana James, Nayer Kinny, Reddy Kishore, Dokwal Nilesh, Rugumambaju Sylvester, Kidde Saul, Banerji Jaya, Jagoe George
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012
• Subjects: Falciparum malaria; Artemisinin-based combination therapy; Subsidized medicines; “ACT with a leaf”; Private sector; Affordable medicines facility- malaria; Uganda; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-11-356; https://doaj.org/article/ccf735cd05ba4a768d77732d6f9dbc40

Abstract Background Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), the treatment of choice for uncomplicated falciparum malaria, is unaffordable and generally inaccessible in the private sector, the first port of call for most malaria treatment across rural Africa. Between August 2007 and May 2010, the Uganda Ministry of Health and the Medicines for Malaria Venture conducted the Consortium for ACT Private Sector Subsidy (CAPSS) pilot study to test whether access to ACT in the private sector could be improved through the provision of a high level supply chain subsidy. Methods Four intervention districts were purposefully selected to receive branded subsidized medicines - “ACT with a leaf”, while the fifth district acted as the control. Baseline and evaluation outlet exit surveys and retail audits were conducted at licensed and unlicensed drug outlets in the intervention and control districts. A survey-adjusted, multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyse the intervention’s impact on: ACT uptake and price; purchase of ACT within 24 hours of symptom onset; ACT availability and displacement of sub-optimal anti-malarial. Results At baseline, ACT accounted for less than 1% of anti-malarials purchased from licensed drug shops for children less than five years old. However, at evaluation, “ACT with a leaf” accounted for 69% of anti-malarial purchased in the interventions districts. Purchase of ACT within 24 hours of symptom onset for children under five years rose from 0.8% at baseline to 26.2% (95% CI: 23.2-29.2%) at evaluation in the intervention districts. In the control district, it rose modestly from 1.8% to 5.6% (95% CI: 4.0-7.3%). The odds of purchasing ACT within 24 hours in the intervention districts compared to the control was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.08-2.68, p=0.4) at baseline and significant increased to 6.11 (95% CI: 4.32-8.62, p<0.0001) at evaluation. Children less than five years of age had “ACT with a leaf” purchased for them more often than those aged above five years. There was no evidence of ...