May 2011
Chagas disease is caused by a common parasite in South and Central America and results in 12,000 deaths every year. Although drug treatments for Chagas were developed 30 years ago, a pediatric formulation has just been developed by Laboratório Farmacêutico do Estado de Pernambuco (LAFEPE) with support from Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). 4th Sector is partnering with DNDi to develop and disseminate communication materials adapted to different target populations in endemic countries. The materials inform health care professionals about the correct use of the new formulation for Chagas disease treatment and aim to increase access to treatment through this outreach.
Chagas is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is primarily transmitted by large, blood-sucking insects widely known in endemic countries as “kissing bugs.” Initial symptoms are mild and usually only result in swelling at infection site. However, if untreated, Chagas can lead to life-threatening heart and digestive system disorders. An estimated 8 million people are infected, and 100 million remain at risk in 21 countries across Central and South America.
Benznidazole, one of the two treatments for Chagas, is currently only available in an adult dose tablet that must be broken in half, quarters, or more fractions to create a child’s dosage. As dosing regimens are weight-based, this method of administration may affect the safety, or efficacy of the treatment for children.
In preparation for the availability of the pediatric formulation for patients in mid-2011, 4th Sector Health is supporting the development of an information toolkit that will contain materials to inform health care professionals, patient associations, and caretakers. The initiative aims to inform 70,000 health care professionals in Brazil and 80 percent of the health care staff in endemic regions throughout Latin America on the new pediatric dosage of benznidazole and its correct use.
The partners plan to engage the Brazilian Ministry of Health during all phases of the project. Materials will be translated into Portuguese and Spanish and given to Ministries of Health across the region. Involving the ministries during the development of these materials will ensure the initiative’s sustainability, allowing for long term local production of informational materials.
DNDi is a collaborative, not-for-profit drug research and development organization established in partnership with public and private institutions such as: the Osvaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil, the Indian Council for Medical Research, the Kenya Medical Research Institute, the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, the Pasteur Institute, Médecins sans Frontières and the UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases.