Abstract

NEYRA, Daniel; CABEZAS, César  and  K. RUEBUSH II, Trenton. El proceso de adecuación y cambio en la política del tratamiento de la malaria por Plasmodium falciparum en el Perú, 1990-2001. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica [online]. 2003, vol.20, n.3, pp.162-171. ISSN 1726-4634.

During the 1990 decade Peru experienced malaria re-emergence in the Amazon Basin and in the northern coast of its territory, and the occurrence and extension of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs in both geographical areas were simultaneously observed. The Ministry of Health faced the problem strengthening the available control measures and performing research in order to better determine the geographical extension and the intensity of the resistance to antimalarial drugs, with the purpose of reviewing and adjusting the treatment policies facing this emergent sanitary condition in the country. A review of the Ministry of Health changes in the treatment policies against malaria between 1990 and 2001 is presented, focusing that currently a new therapy including one drug of the arthemisine family for the treatment of P. falciparum was implemented. Due to this change in antimalarial treatment policiy, Peru is currently the first country in America using combination therapy including arthemisine as a first line treatment for non complicated P. falciparum malaria. The Peruvian experience is shown as a model for other countries in the region which also face drug-resistant P. falciparum malaria emergence.

Keywords : Malaria; Plasmodium falciparum; Drug Resistance; Health Policy; Malaria Treatment Policy; Perú.

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