Challenges Related to Antimalarial Abuse in Coronavirus Disease-2019 Treatment in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Challenges Related to Antimalarial Abuse in Coronavirus Disease-2019 Treatment in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the DRC, the vast majority of the population has no social security or support system. Few people have a regular job or receive a salary. The informal sector is the majority: irregular and
unstable incomes. It is therefore their ability to pay healthcare that determines access to care frequently leaving those without it relying heavily on family caregivers. The coverage of social security in the formal sector is low, it covers only public employees of few companies. This poverty leads the population to take refuge in self-medication and therapeutic abuse.

Since the onset of Coronavirus, many therapeutic trials are underway using antimalarial molecules as treatment. Similarly, at the community level, the use of antimalarial drugs, including
traditional plants or derivatives is really common without any prior clinical consultation. People limited by economic barriers, do not hesitate to procure in local shops the medicines regardless of any quality nor dosage. This increased familiarity of germs with drugs will make malaria resistance worse.

The precarious context of health systems of developing countries will surely influence the intensification of the spread of COVID-19, because of low awareness of preventive measures among
the population. On the other hand, the incorrect or reckless use of anti-malaria molecules in the management of COVID-19 will lead to new resistance to these drugs, with increased rates of morbidity and mortality from malaria. And a greater than ever resulting need for a newer, more expensive but perhaps more durable antimalarial.

Epidemiol Open J. 2020; 5(1): 17-18. doi: 10.17140/EPOJ-5-121