Maloff Protect (atovaquone/proguanil hydrochloride) antimalarial tablets now available to buy from pharmacies
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reclassified the antimalarial Maloff Protect (atovaquone/proguanil hydrochloride) to make it available from a pharmacist without a prescription.
Sold under the brand name Maloff Protect,l the tablets contain two antimalarial agents, atovaquone and proguanil.
Maloff Protect will be sold at pharmacies after a discussion with the pharmacist. They will be made available to adults aged over 18, weighing more than 40kg, travelling to areas affected by malaria and where the malaria parasite is not resistant to the Maloff Protect ingredients.
Pharmacists will be able to advise if Maloff Protect is suitable to protect from malaria depending on which countries are being visited, pre-existing medical conditions, and any other medicines being taken.
Maloff Protect was one of a number of medicines currently being considered for reclassification as an over the counter medicine, to help widen access to medicines for the benefit of public health when it is safe to do. This reclassification is a result of a public consultation, held earlier this year.