TES of Artemether-lumefantrine for Pf in the Philippines in 2015

Artemether-lumefantrine has been used as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infection since 2009 in the Philippines. The 28 day therapeutic efficacy study was conducted between February 2015 and December 2015, in accordance with WHO guidelines in the three (3) municipalities (Bataraza, Brookes and Rizal) of Palawan. Attempt was made to include Panglima-Sugala, Tawi-Tawi; however, due to the decline in the number of malaria cases, no evaluable subject was enrolled. The study subjects were febrile individuals between \> 6 months old and 59 years old with confirmed uncomplicated P. falciparum. They were treated with artemether-lumefantrine (20 mg and 120 mg, respectively) administered 3 days (Days 0, 1 and 2) according to body weight. Primaquine (0.75 mg base/kg body weight single dose) was given on Day 3. Outcomes were classified as early treatment failure (ETF), late clinical failure (LCF), late parasitological failure (LPF) and adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR).