Is Chloroquine Better than Artemisinin Combination Therapy as First Line Treatment in Adult Nigerians with Uncomplicated Malaria?-A Cost Effectiveness Analysis

The current case management and drug policy of malaria in Nigeria recommended by the Federal ministry of health may not be appropriate for all age categories. This suspicion was tested by running a cost effectiveness analysis of two possible and alternative strategies: Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) or Chloroquine and ACT only if CQ fails (CANACT), in adult non pregnant Nigerians aged 20-45yrs. The result confirms that ACT is indeed more effective but also more costly with an incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of #2,546,527.00 per QALY that is much higher than the estimated upper limit of #25,000.00 that either patients or provider may be willing to pay. The CANACT strategy may be the most cost effective strategy in this subgroup of Nigerian patients and also provides better value for money.