Adverse Event Monitoring of Artemesinin Combination Therapy in Nigeria: The Challenges and Limitations of the Study

Abstract

Artemesinin combination therapies (ACTs) are first line antimalarial drugs in malaria endemic regions of the world as recommended by the World Health Organization. ACTs are relatively new in Nigeria and there is little experience with their use. The pharmacovigilance of ACT drugs has been advocated in African countries so as to establish their safety in the African population. There is an on-going adverse event monitoring of the ACT drugs in Nigeria and a preliminary result has been published by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. This commentary aims to discuss the challenges and limitations of the on-going pharmacovigilance of ACT drugs in Nigeria and proffer useful suggestions on how to overcome the problems.