USAID announces $2.3M procurement of African-produced malaria medicine developed with PQM+ support

USP applauds the recent announcement from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) to procure 4.8 million doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) 500mg/25mg tablet, an essential medicine that prevents malaria in pregnant women, from an African-based manufacturer.

This procurement of approximately $2.3 million marks a significant commitment from a global procurement agency to purchase an African-made malaria medicine. With support from USAID's Promoting the Quality of Medicine Plus (PQM+) program, led by USP, the SP product, manufactured in Nigeria by Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited (Swipha), was recently prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO). Swipha is the first manufacturer in West Africa to receive WHO prequalification for this product, and zinc sulfate 20mg dispersible tablet, which treats diarrhea in children. 

"This procurement not only helps combat malaria in pregnant women, it demonstrates the capability of African manufacturers to produce quality-assured medicines," said Jude Nwokike, USP Vice President and Director of PQM+. "The PQM+ program is proud to partner with Swipha to support this critical milestone that will improve millions of lives."

Read the full USAID announcement
Read more about Swipha's WHO PQ for malaria from USAID and PQM+
Read more about Swipha's WHO PQ for zinc sulfate from PQM+
Learn more about PQM+ in Nigeria

Media contact: [email protected] Shape

About PQM+
The Promoting the Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+) program is a six-year cooperative agreement between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) to sustainably strengthen medical product quality assurance systems in low- and middle-income countries.

About USP
USP is an independent, international, and scientific nonprofit organization focused on building trust in the supply of safe, quality medical products. We strengthen the global supply chain so that the medical products people rely on are available when needed and work as expected. USP has 16 offices across 13 countries and has implemented global health programs in 90+ countries worldwide.