RECONSTITUTION OF ORAL ANTIMALARIAL SUSPENSIONS: AN UNRECOGNIZED FACTOR IN ANTIMALARIAL DRUG RESISTANCE

Malaria is a foremost universal public health problem, especially in the African region and development of resistance to the older and new generation malaria therapy, has become a persistent health threat requiring urgent solutions. This study intended to assess the ability of human subjects to accurately reconstitute antimalarial dry suspensions according to the manufacturer's instructions. Two hundred (200) dry powders for suspension were procured and distributed to 200 human subjects, and the volumes reconstituted were noted. Results showed that only 24 subjects (12%) were able to reconstitute the suspensions as required by the manufacturer, while ninety-seven subjects (48.5%) made reconstitutions above the required volume and 79 subjects (39.5%) reconstituted below the required volume. Error in reconstitution was as high as 76%. This study emphasizes the need for health caregivers; especially nurses and pharmacists to make the required reconstitutions before dispensing the medication and also give adequate counsel to patients on the appropriate way to make reconstitutions to avoid untoward effects due to over or underdosing.