Kenya’s hope in reducing preterm babies’ deaths got a boost following the product launch of Caffeine Citrate by Ethypharm -a lifesaving drug, which helps premature infants with immature breathing patterns to breathe a condition known as apnoea of prematurity.
Speaking during the Caffeine Citrate launch at the Kenya Pediatric Association Annual Scientific Conference 2024 in Mombasa hosted under the theme “From Data to Practice: Harnessing Technology to Optimize Healthcare from the Neonate to the Adolescent, Ethypharm General manager Middle East and North Africa, Rob Bruchet, said that they are working with many stakeholders to launch caffeine citrate in Kenya.
“We have negotiated with many stakeholders across the country to provide the medication at special access price to address significant problem of infant mortality.”
According to Rob, Ethypharm is willing to get into partnerships with other governments in Africa to facilitate special access price for the lifesaving drug that will boost its access and utilization to make a big difference in Africa.
The Ministry of Health cites prematurity complications as leading cause of neonatal deaths in Kenya.
According to Ethypharm Kenya, Key accounts manager, Kirkland Magwilu the company is contributing to the welfare of the neonates by providing caffeine Citrate for the treatment and management of Apnoea of Prematurity therefore saving more lives and giving them a chance to live.
While Clinton Health Access Innitiave (CHAI) Associate Director for maternal Newborn and Child Health Betty Wariari said that the launch will further strengthen availability of caffeine citrate in Kenya having been accorded a special access price for the lifesaving drug that will boost its access and utilization.
She explained that a scoping review of availability of caffeine citrate conducted in 2022 revealed that only one percent of public facilities were procuring caffeine citrate prompting CHAI to negotiate with Ethypharm to strengthen availability and access of the lifesaving drug.
Following price negotiation between Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the drug manufacturer Ethypharm, through the support of the Ministry of Health, Kenya will buy- caffeine citrate -the drug used to keep pre-term babies breathing- at a heavily subsidized price.
“The drug which was initially stocked at Ksh 1,500 will now be accessed with only Sh400 per ampoule. Initially, the price of caffeine citrate was a barrier, with only 19percent of facilities managing small and sick newborns in the public sector procuring it in Kenya. Now more facilities will afford to buy enough quantities.”
Apnoea of prematurity is when a preterm baby pause breathing for more than 20 minutes, and has a slow heart rate and low oxygen level. Apnoea of prematurity (AOP) among preterm infants in Kenya is a leading cause of severe illness and death, especially in absence of regular monitoring and breathing support.
Ministry of Health in Kenya and World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Caffeine citrate for the prevention and treatment of apnoea of prematurity in infants between 28 and less than 33 weeks gestational age.
