WHO prequalifies Strides Shasun's RAS product

Drug firm Strides Shasun has received pre-qualification from the World Health Organization (WHO) for its rectal artesunate product for the pre-referral management of severe malaria.

The pre-qualification from the WHO for the 100mg rectal artesunate suppositories (RAS) has been achieved with support from Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and funding from Unitaid.

This pre-qualification enables countries to procure life-saving RAS with donor funding, thus ensuring increased access to this potentially life-saving intervention.

The company will now leverage its significant presence in Africa to register and distribute the product where needed on the continent. To this end, dossiers have already been submitted in 25 of the countries that could benefit most.