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Study to Compare Feasibility of 1-step Injectable Artesunate vs. Conventional 2-step Injectable Artesunate

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Severe Malaria
Interventions
Drug: Argesun 60mg (1 step parenteral artesunate)
Drug: Artesun 60mg (2-step parenteral artesunate)
Registration Number
NCT05140278
Lead Sponsor
University of Oxford
Brief Summary

The objectives of this study contains 3 parts: (1) a comparison of 1-step parenteral artesunate (AS) versus conventional 2-step parenteral artesunate in patients with severe malaria to assess the feasibility of administration, parasite and fever clearance times in two countries, (2) a quantification of convenience and costs of the new 1-step artesunate parenteral formulation versus the conventional formulation in a randomised study, (3) A cost analysis of 1-step parenteral artesunate using data from Part 1 \& Part 2. This will assess health facility-level costs, and also health system costs to encompass all costs of a potential change from conventional to 1-step artesunate, including re-training, materials, and drug replacement.

The conventional formulation of injectable artesunate requires a 2-step reconstitution and dilution of the artesunate hemisuccinate powder. A new formulation of injectable artesunate has been developed by Fosun Pharma requiring a simpler 1-step reconstitution. Bioequivalence of the new formulation to the conventional formulation.

For part 1, a total number of participants of this study would be 200 participants, estimated 100 per site will be recruited. For part 2, a total number of 40 semi-structured interviews with study staff, health staff, policy makers, and stake holders; and survey/questionnaires with 150 health staff.

Detailed Description

Study design:

Part 1

A comparison of 1-step parenteral artesunate vs. conventional 2-step parenteral artesunate in patients with severe malaria to assess the feasibility of administration, parasite and fever clearance times of 1-step parenteral artesunate to conventional artesunate in 2 countries. Patients with severe malaria will be enrolled and randomly allocated to treatment with conventional injectable artesunate or 1-step injectable artesunate. A physical examination will be performed daily and every six hours on indication. Vital signs rec-orded hourly for unstable patients, then 6 hourly for stabilised patients, and at each follow-up visit. A symptom questionnaire will be taken daily to help identify adverse events. Patients will be asked to come back for a follow-up visit at day 7, 14, 21 and 28. Patients will not be followed up longer. In case of unresolved important sequelae at day 28, the patient will be followed and treated longer in order to provide the appropriate clinical care.

A Time and Motion study will record the time to prepare the artesunate solution for injection and administer treatment, number of actions performed to prepare treatment, and consumables used. Clinical, parasitological, and laboratory assessments will be recorded while patients are admitted in hospital and then weekly up to day 28 to assess recovery and determine final status.

Part 2

A mixed method social science study that entails semi-structure interviews and survey with study staff (involved in part 1), health workers (who treat severe malaria) and policymakers and stakeholders (who are involved in devising national malaria policy and its implementation), to assess the acceptability, feasibility, pros and cons, costs, and logistics and training implications of 1-step artesunate vs conventional artesunate. For both sites, semi-structure interviews will be conducted with minimum of a total of 40 respondents consisting of study staff, health staff and policy makers and stakeholders. The ultimate sample for semi-structure interviews will be dependent on the data saturation. For survey/questionnaire, a maximum number of relevant participants (study staff and health care staff) will be attempted to be recruited from two sites. A minimum of 150 study staff and health care staff will be recruited in the survey.

Part 3

A cost analysis of 1-step parenteral artesunate using data from Part 1 \& Part 2. This will assess health facility-level costs, and also health system costs to encompass all costs of a potential change from conventional to 1-step artesunate, including re-training, materials, drug replacement.

In addition to time measurement, the observer will also record the resources used for the administration of artesunate. This will include the vials themselves, as well as other consumables required for the administration (syringes, needles, catheters, etc.).

Funder:

* Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Industrial Development Co., Ltd

* Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit supported by the Wellcome Trust, UK (220211)

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
200
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1-step Artesunate parenteral armArgesun 60mg (1 step parenteral artesunate)Argesun (Artesunate 60 mg)
2-step Artesunate parenteral armArtesun 60mg (2-step parenteral artesunate)Artesun (Artesunate 60 mg)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Time to administration of treatment comparing 1-step vs. conventional 2-step parenteral artesunate formulations3 days

Time to administration of treatment comparing 1-step vs. conventional 2-step parenteral artesunate formulations (by time-and-motion methods).

Costs of administration of 1-step vs. conventional 2-step parenteral artesunate formulations3 days

Costs of administration of 1-step vs. conventional 2-step parenteral artesunate formulations at health facility, and at health system level.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Practicability assessment of 1-step formulation of parenteral artesunate45 minutes

Practicability assessment of 1-step formulation of parenteral artesunate by interview study staff, health staff, and policymakers and stakeholders

Satisfaction assessment of 1-step formulation of parenteral artesunate45 minutes

Satisfaction assessment of 1-step formulation of parenteral artesunate by interview study staff, health staff, and policymakers and stakeholders

Implementation perspective assessment of 1-step formulation of parenteral artesunate45 minutes

Implementation perspective assessment of 1-step formulation of parenteral artesunate by interview study staff, health staff, and policymakers and stakeholders

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

KIMORU (KIMORU /ESP Research Center)

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Kinshasa, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the

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