Supporting countries in their foodborne trematode infections control efforts

WHO promotes the inclusion of foodborne trematodiases among the targets of preventive chemotherapy interventions. With the aim of providing access to quality medicines, WHO has negotiated with Novartis Pharma AG whereby Novartis donates triclabendazole for the treatment of fascioliasis and paragonimiasis in endemic countries. WHO collects applications from ministries of health and medicines are shipped free of charge.

Forms to request donated praziquantel for the treatment and control of clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis (infections with Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini).

Efforts to control diseases caused by the foodborne trematodes Clonorchis sinensis (clonorchiasis) and Opisthorchis viverrini (opisthorchiasis) mainly aim to prevent the development of chronic morbidity, especially cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), and to break the cycle of active transmission of the parasite through health education and a reduction of environmental contamination by infected humans.

An important component of this strategy is the treatment of patients that harbor the adult trematodes. This is most often undertaken by implementing preventive chemotherapy (mass drug administration or MDA) to reach all the eligible population. The most effective drug at a single dose is praziquantel.  

Under the umbrella of universal health coverage, and to provide access to free, quality-assured and safe medicines, WHO has negotiated with Bayer the donation of praziquantel which is now available through WHO for the control of C. sinensis and O. viverrini in areas where prevalence is >10%.

WHO has developed the following three forms that should be used while requesting donated medicines, reporting on their use and sharing of epidemiological information on both clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis: 

• Request for selected PC medicines (RM) – to assist countries in quantifying the number of tablets required to reach the planned target population and districts during the year.
• Reporting form (RF) – to assist countries in reporting annual progress on integrated and coordinated distribution of medicines across diseases in the reporting year in a standardized format. 
• PC epidemiological data reporting form (EPIRF) – to standardize national reporting of epidemiological data on clonorchiasis/opisthorchiasis. National authorities are encouraged to complete this form and submit it to WHO every year, together with the RF.