The first atovaquone/proguanil hydrochloride (A/P) anti-malarial formulation is now available via pharmacy without a prescription, as highlighted in Public Health England’s recently updated Guidelines for Malaria Prevention.2
Maloff Protect is available for adults aged 18 or over and protects travellers against Plasmodium falciparum,3 the most common species of malarial parasite in Africa and the species which causes the most malaria-related deaths globally.4
Each year 1,600 UK travellers return home with malaria and latest figures showed this figure included six fatalities.5
Easing the pressure
Four million people leave the UK to travel to malaria risk zones each year.6
Demands on travel health advisers’ time are set to increase as more people are choosing adventure holidays or exotic longer-haul destinations in search of new experiences.7 Those who travel to visit friends and relatives (VFR) in their country of origin are particularly vulnerable as they tend to travel for longer and live within the local community.8
GP practices are contractually obliged to see patients for travel health requirements and within a reasonable time, with reference to their departure date.8
Travellers can benefit from purchasing A/P in pharmacy
A full travel consultation should be provided to any patients planning a trip abroad,2 and this consultation may often result in the provision of chemoprophylaxis. Atovaquone/proguanil, now available directly from pharmacy, is a common choice which means practice nurses could help save travellers the cost of a private prescription by directing them to their local pharmacist.
Many large pharmacy chain outlets offer out-of-hours provision, a convenient option for frequent or returning travellers who have already had a travel consultation but may require A/P. If travellers are departing soon and don’t have time to wait for an GP or nurse appointment, directing to pharmacy could be very helpful advice.
To find out more about Maloff Protect, awarded a Pharmacy Product of the Year winner for 2018, visit www.maloffprotect.co.uk
Antimalarial protection now available from pharmacy without a prescription
Maloff Protect tablets (atovaquone 250mg/proguanil 100mg) for the prevention of malaria.3 Always read the label.
Simple • Quick • Convenient
References
1. MHRA. www.gov.uk/government/news/maloff-protect-antimalarial-tablets-to-be-available-to-buy-from-pharmacies
2. Public Health England. Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK 2017. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/660051/Guidelines_for_malaria_prevention_in_travellers_from_the_UK_2017.pdf
3. Maloff Protect SmPC 2017. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/660
4. WHO Malaria Fact Sheet. 2016.
5. Public Health England, Malaria Imported into the UK. 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/636783/Malaria_imported_into_UK_2016_FINAL.pdf
6. National Statistics. Travel Trends. www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/leisureandtourism/datasets/ukresidentsvisitsabroad
7. Holiday hypermarket research 2017. https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/822899/brexit-europe-long-haul-summer-travel-thailand-goa
8. RCN Travel Health Nursing; Career and competencies document. www.rcn.org.uk/professional-development/publications/pub-003146
All websites last accessed February 2018
Essential Information
Name of product Maloff Protect 250mg/100mg tablets List of actives atovaquone, proguanil. PL number PL 25258/0166 Name and address of PL holder Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited, Laxmi House, 2 B Draycott Avenue, Kenton, Middlesex, HA3 0BU Supply classification (P/GSL) P Indication(s) Chemoprophylaxis of Plasmodium falciparum (P. Falciparum) malaria in adults. Check official guidelines (e.g. World Health Organization (WHO) and public health authorities' guidelines) before dispensing. Contraindications, precautions, side effects Contraindications: hypersensitivity to atovaquone, proguanil or excipients, renal disease, hepatic impairment, children and adolescents. Precautions: if vomiting occurs within one hour of dosing repeat dose. If allergic reaction develops, discontinue use promptly and seek medical treatment. Refer the following patients to a doctor or other qualified prescriber: those taking etoposide, rifampicin, rifabutin, metoclopramide, warfarin and other anticoagulants, tetracycline, indinavir, efavirenz, zidovudine, boosted protease inhibitors, those with a history of depression or seizures, those with TB, patients who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or those breast feeding. Safety and effectiveness has not been established in patients <40kg. Remind travellers of the need for a full travel consultation. The most common side effects are headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Other important reactions reported are severe allergic reactions, pancytopenia in patients with severe renal impairment, severe skin reactions, seizure, hallucinations, liver inflammation, depression. Dosage and method used One tablet daily with food or a milky drink at the same time each day. Commence 1-2 days prior to entering malaria-endemic area, continue for the duration of the stay plus seven days after leaving the area. The maximum duration of travel for which Maloff Protect can be supplied without prescription is 12 weeks (93 tablets). For longer durations of travel, advice should be sought from a doctor or other qualified prescriber. Adverse Event Reporting Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Cost RRP (excluding VAT): 24 Tablet Pack = £39.00, 36 Tablet Pack = £58.50
Date of EI creation 13 Feb 2018
Date of preparation: March 2018 Job code: PP-UK-MLF-0139
