Lambeth, Southwark & Lewisham Health Authority

1 Lower Marsh

Waterloo

London

SE1 7NT

Tel: 020 7716 7000

Fax: 020 7716 7018

Web: www.lslha.nhs.uk

September 2001

Dear General Practitioner/Pharmacist,

Resumption of NHS prescription of anti-malarials in Lambeth Southwark and Lewisham

Please bring this to the attention of all your staff who may be in involved in travel advice

You may be aware that in April 1995 FHSL(95)7, effectively stated that anti-malarial prophylaxis should no longer be prescribed on FP10s. In Lambeth ,Southwark and Lewisham we have extremely high rates of malaria and the Directorate of Health Policy and Public Health at the Health Authority consider that this is a problem which must be addressed by all means available, and are embarking on an educational programme to reach health professionals, travel agents and the public. Please note the information sheet enclosed.

As part of this drive, the Health Authority has made a commitment to support local General Practitioners and Pharmacists who prescribe and dispense anti-malarials on the NHS. We are therefore writing to you to encourage you to do so when appropriate. The pharmaceutical advisors within LSLHA will not investigate any such prescriptions which are referred to them by the Prescriptions Pricing Authority.

May we remind you that anti-malarial prophylaxis is only one facet of protection for the traveller and that the most important messages are that

They must be aware that they are at risk - even if they have lived in a malarious country
They must avoid mosquito bites
They must comply with the full course of prophylaxis
They must be alert for feverish illness for one year after return.

Advice on appropriate anti-malarials for particular countries may be obtained from:

Malaria Reference Laboratory: 0270-636-3924

Yours faithfully

Dr Deirdre Cunningham Martin Roberts

Director of Health Policy and Public Health Chief Executive

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Chair: Linda Smith Chief Executive: Martin Roberts