ATOVAQUONE/PROGUANIL TO BE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION
A brand of anti-malaria tablet, previously available by prescription only, will shortly be available from pharmacies as an Over the Counter (OTC) medicine
Atovaquone/proguanil, a combination tablet that can be taken to prevent malaria, is currently available in branded and non-branded forms.
Following a public consultation process [1], the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has announced one named brand of atovaquone/proguanil as approved as an Over the Counter (OTC) medicine. This medicine will shortly be available through pharmacies without prescription and will be available to adults aged over 18, weighing more than 40kg, travelling to areas affected by malaria and where the malaria parasite is not resistant to the product ingredients [2].
Health professionals are reminded that pre-travel risk assessment is essential to tailor advice for an individual, including advice about malaria risk and options for medicine to prevent malaria.