New Survey Reveals Almost Half of UK Adults Who Travel to Malaria-risk Areas do not Think that they need Antimalarial Protection[1] Despite NHS' Recommendation[2]

LONDON, September 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

New research^[1] of over 1,000 UK adults highlights that almost half (48%) of those who travel to areas at risk of malaria may be leaving themselves exposed to this potentially fatal disease. For many, lack of knowledge about where in the world malaria is a risk and lack of time to obtain a prescription of antimalarials were cited as reason for travelling without antimalarial protection. Today marks the launch of Maloff Protect^[3] (atovaquone/proguanil), the first antimalarial medication available without a prescription from a pharmacy.

Each year, four million people leave the UK to travel to areas where they are likely to be at risk of malaria.^[4] In 2015, over 1,400 people returned to the UK with malaria and 6 of these cases were fatal.^[5]

"Malaria is a serious tropical infection that can cause people to become very ill with high fevers, chills and other flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches. It can very quickly become life-threatening if it's not treated quickly," says Dr Ellie Cannon, a London-based GP. "Malaria can affect anyone. Travellers visiting at-risk areas should follow the NHS' ABCD approach to malaria prevention, taking steps to avoid being bitten and taking antimalarial medication as appropriate."

The survey revealed a lack of knowledge about where malaria is a risk. Malaria is present in over 90 countries worldwide, mainly across tropical and subtropical regions.^[6] Nearly three quarters of people (72%) didn't know that malaria was a risk in Central America and 47% within the Indian subcontinent. Importantly, almost 1 in 3 people (32%) didn't know that malaria was a risk in Africa - the continent that is home to 90% of malaria cases and 92% of deaths from malaria.^[6] According to the survey, 1 in 13 people didn't take antimalarials because they didn't have time to obtain them or they didn't know where to obtain them. This statistic rose to 1 in 5 people aged 18-34.

"I'm proof that malaria doesn't discriminate," says television presenter Charlie Webster who contracted malaria whilst cycling 3,000 miles through Brazil on her way to the Olympics in Rio in 2016. "Malaria made me critically ill and very nearly killed me. Malaria is preventable - anyone travelling to countries where they may be at risk should make sure they take the necessary precautions against this potentially life-threatening illness."

Survey results also suggest that people perceive the risk of malaria to be lower depending on the purpose of their trip. 54% of people admitted that they wouldn't take antimalarials on a business trip; 51% wouldn't take antimalarials if they were going to see friends and family; 27% of people wouldn't take antimalarials if they were backpacking and 22% of people wouldn't take them if they were going on a holiday or leisure trip.

"We're delighted to be able offer travellers easier access to effective protection against malaria," says Katja Lundell, General Manager UK at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. "Maloff Protect provides a simple, quick and convenient way for adult travellers to get the antimalarial medication they need before they travel."

Glenmark has launched Off Somewhere - a campaign encouraging travellers to be aware of the risks of malaria on their trip and the steps they can take to #BeMozzieReady. For more information and tips on malaria prevention, follow @BeMozzieReady on Instagram.

For more information visit http://www.maloffprotect.co.uk

About the Survey^[1]

This research was conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in August 2017. 1001 UK adults who had holidayed abroad in the last year completed a short online survey.

About Maloff Protect^[3](atovaquone/proguanil)

Maloff Protect is an antimalarial medication that is available over the counter, direct from the pharmacy without a prescription. It helps to provide a simple, quick and convenient way for travellers to obtain effective protection. Each tablet contains two active ingredients: atovaquone (250mg) and proguanil (100mg) which work by killing the malaria parasites in the liver and the bloodstream.^[7],[8]

Maloff Protect only needs to be taken 1 or 2 days before departure and for 7 days after return, plus once a day at the same time during the trip.

About Malaria 

Malaria is a life-threatening infection of the blood caused by the Plasmodium parasite^[9] and transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito.^[10] It is found in more than 90 countries worldwide, usually in tropical and subtropical regions including large areas of Africa, Asia, Central and South America.^[6] Nearly half of the world's population is at risk of malaria and 1,200 people die each day from the disease.^[6]

The NHS recommend the ABCD approach to malaria prevention which stands for having an Awareness of the Risk, taking steps to prevent being Bitten, Chemoprophylaxis (antimalarial medication) and swift Diagnosis of symptoms if they appear.^[2]

About Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is a leading research-driven, global, integrated pharmaceutical organisation. It is ranked among the top 75 Pharma & Biotech companies in the world in terms of revenue.^[11] Glenmark has a diverse pipeline with several compounds in various stages of clinical development primarily focused in the areas of dermatology, oncology and respiratory disease.

With 17 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a commercial presence in more than 80 countries worldwide, Glenmark is dedicated to creating a positive impact by producing new treatments for unmet medical needs.

The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) division manufactures and supplies more than 190 high quality APIs to customers worldwide. Glenmark associates with leading global generic companies by supporting partnerships through advanced process chemistry skills and innovative intellectual property.

1. Data on file. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited. September 2017.
2. NHS Fit for Travel: Malaria [Available at: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx]
3. Maloff Protect Summary of product Characteristics. July 2017. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited.
4. Office of National Statistics. Travel Trends. [https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationand
community/leisureandtourism/datasets/ukresidentsvisitsabroad
5. Public Health England, Malaria Imported into the UK. 2015. [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/539502/Malaria_imported_into_the_UK_2015_report.pdf]
6. World Health Organization. Malaria Fact Sheet. April 2017. [Available http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs094/en/]
7. Barata et al. In Vitro Analysis of the Interaction between Atovaquone and Proguanil against Liver Stage Malaria Parasites. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2016 60 (7):4333-4335
8. Hahn & Pottinger. Malaria in the Traveller: How to Manage Before Departure and Evaluate Upon Return. Med Clin North Am. 2016 100(2): 289–302
9. NHS Choices: Malaria – Antimalarials [Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Malaria/Pages/Introduction.aspx]
10. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. (2016) Frequently Asked Questions. [Available at:  https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html]
11. SCRIP Rankings 2017

For more information, please contact:

Yasmin Sheikh
Tonic Life Communications
yasmin.sheikh@tonic.com
+44(0)20-8747-4424

Rachel Bonny
Tonic Life Communications
rachel.bonny@tonic.com
+44(0)20-7798-9919

Date of preparation: September 2017
Job code: PP-UK-MLF-0081