World Health Organization's Vector Control Advisory Group Supports PermaNet® 3.0 Long-Lasting Insecticidal Bed Net
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Health Organization's (WHO's) Vector Control Advisory Group (VCAG) published its second annual VCAG report which includes evaluation of the supporting evidence for Vestergaard's product claim for PermaNet® 3.0. The report states that "The manufacturers have been very careful to make a relatively modest claim that can be supported by the combined evidence from multiple studies in many areas of pyrethroid resistance".
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Vestergaard's product claim for its combination net, PermaNet® 3.0 is: "Relative to pyrethroid–only LLINs [long-lasting insecticidal nets], PermaNet® 3.0 has increased efficacy against malaria vectors with cytochrome P450-based metabolic pyrethroid resistance, even if combined with kdr."
In May 2012 WHO released its Global Plan for Insecticide Resistance Management (GPIRM). Specific issues mentioned in GPIRM include: Concern with the degree to which insecticide resistance reduces the efficacy of an intervention and, at the extreme, possibility that it will induce full control failure. The report refers to evidence of metabolic resistance leading to control failure (South Africa, 2010) and states that it's a widely accepted hypothesis that metabolic resistance is a stronger resistance mechanism and may have greater operational impact.
The newly released WHO report noted regarding PermaNet® 3.0, that "As a first in class there is significant knowledge about how to (and how not to) undertake field evaluation of a product aimed primarily at pyrethroid-resistant vector populations." The report concluded, PermaNet® 3.0 "would need to be implemented with resistance monitoring that assessed the underlying mechanisms of resistance."
In addition to WHO's Vector Control Advisory Group's overall support to the claim, modeling indicates that PermaNet® 3.0 is more cost effective than standard pyrethroid-only LLINs in areas with a high impact of pyrethroid resistance, despite a higher unit price.
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About PermaNet® 3.0
PermaNet® 3.0 was developed to address the urgent need for tools with increased efficacy against insecticide resistant malaria vectors. According to GPIRM, this emerging resistance has been spreading rapidly, and reported in 64 countries today. It's of particular concern since pyrethroids are currently the only class of insecticide approved for use in LLINs. GPIRM further notes, at current coverage levels, if pyrethroids were to lose most of their efficacy, over 55% of the benefits of vector control would be lost, leading to approximately 120,000 deaths not averted annually.
About Vestergaard
Vestergaard is an international company, headquartered in Switzerland, and dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable people. Vestergaard is the largest producer of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets. More than one billion PermaNet® nets have been distributed, contributing to the reduction in deaths from malaria by over one third. Additional breakthrough solutions include award-winning LifeStraw® water filters, and initiatives to fight HIV/AIDS and neglected tropical diseases, mitigate climate change and enhance food security.
Contact:
Meryl Rader, Communications Director, +1-908-528-3826, mer@vestergaard.com
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