Official launch of ACTIpal, an artemisinin-based antimalarial drug, by USAID/PSI.

The US Ambassador and the Minister of Health and Family Planning participated, with other USAID partners, in the official launch of ACTIpal, an Artemisinin and Amodiaquine based combined therapy. ACTIpal is the fruit of public-private partnership among Roll Back Malaria partners, including Global Fund and UNITAID.

This USG support to malaria control is part of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), in line with the Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) and National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) aiming at eliminating malaria by 2012.

This pre-packaged drug, easy to use by mothers and community workers, will be made available to the communities at pharmacies, drug vendors, community workers and private sector workers at affordable prices.

Along with the launch of this new product, ACTIpal, training will be provided to the prescribing workers. Media and interpersonal communication campaign will also be conducted.

As part of the malaria control in Madagascar, through the NMCP, the USG also supports indoor residual spraying preventive campaigns, distribution of insecticide treated bed nets, intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women with pyrimethamine sulfadoxine, and case management in health facilities and at community level.