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Primaquine can be used to prevent the transmission of falciparum malaria from human to mosquito. Bob Taylor and colleagues at the Mahidol Oxford Research Unit (MORU) have developed an age-based regimen for single low-dose primaquine to block the transmission of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.

Black female seated on a carpet in a house made of hemp or similar

Image courtesy of Speak Up Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended in 2012 to add single low-dose primaquine (SLDPQ) to standard artemisinin based combination treatments (ACTs) to block the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The target dose of 0.25 mg base/kg body weight (15 mg in a 60 kg adult) was considered safe in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) and SLDPQ was recommended to be given without testing for G6PDd.

Find out more (Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network website)