The process of malaria drug policy change in Uganda: practical realities in implementing new treatment policies

Abstract

This presentation describes the issues encountered in the switch to artemisinin combination therapy as the preferred antimalarial treatment in Uganda. Availability of the medicine, and indeed of other recommended antimalarials, is a problem, and patients often turn to the private sector; as well as strengthening the public sector supply chain, it is necessary to involve the private sector. Training of health workers ensures that if stocks are availble, adherence to policy in the public sector is fairly high, but continued availability of non-recommended antimalarials is a problem