Malaria Journal (Nov 2012)

The affordable medicines facility-malaria—A success in peril

  • Talisuna Ambrose O,
  • Adibaku Seraphine,
  • Amojah Chioma N,
  • Amofah George K,
  • Aubyn Vivian,
  • Dodoo Alex,
  • Juma Elizabeth,
  • Jackou Djermakoye H,
  • Mkude Sigsbert,
  • Okui Albert P,
  • Ramarosandratana Benjamin,
  • Shija Shija J

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-11-370
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
p. 370

Abstract

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Abstract The Affordable Medicines Facility-malaria (AMFm) has put into place a bold financing plan for artemisinin-combination therapy in a pilot phase in seven countries covering half the population at risk of malaria in Africa. A report of the AMFm independent evaluation, conducted by ICF International and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, describes the success of the programme in the pilot sites: Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania (mainland and Zanzibar) and Uganda, comparing availability and affordability of high-quality artemisinin-combination therapies before and after AMFm launched. Proof of concept was achieved: AMFm increased availability and kept prices low, meeting its initial, ambitious benchmarks in most settings. Despite this overwhelming success, opposition to the programme and dwindling resources for malaria control conspire to cripple or kill AMFm.

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