La RDC valide un nouveau protocole de prise en charge du paludisme grave basé sur la quinine injectable

• The Democratic Republic of Congo has approved a new protocol for severe malaria treatment using injectable quinine (500 mg/2ml).
• Developed by the PNLP and PHARMAKINA, the protocol aims to counter resistance to conventional treatments, with implementation targeted for 2026.
• The treatment will be administered as monotherapy for severe cases and bitherapy (with clindamycin) for adults and pregnant women.
• PHARMAKINA has increased production capacity to ensure a consistent supply of the new quinine formulation.
• Confirmatory clinical trials are required at Kinshasa University Clinics before general market distribution, amidst over 30,000 malaria deaths reported in the DRC in 2025.

The introduction of this advanced medical solution comes at a time of profound public health concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially endorsed a significant new treatment protocol for severe and complicated malaria, centered on an injectable quinine formulation. This `RDC nouveau protocole paludisme grave quinine`, featuring `quinine injectable 500 mg/2ml`, was formally introduced on Thursday, September 17, 2026, during a scientific conference held in Kinshasa. The initiative, a collaborative effort between the National Malaria Control Program (`PNLP RDC paludisme 2026`) and the pharmaceutical firm `PHARMAKINA quinine injectable RDC`, represents a strategic update aimed at bolstering the nation's therapeutic arsenal.

This updated approach for 2026 is specifically designed to offer a crucial alternative in the face of increasing resistance to existing conventional malaria treatments. The presentation, which gathered medical professionals, highlighted the urgent need for diversified therapeutic options to combat the evolving nature of the disease within the country. The partnership underscores a proactive stance against a persistent public health challenge.

The newly validated protocol outlines specific administration methods for the quinine injectable. For severe forms of malaria, the drug will be administered as a monotherapy. In cases involving adults and pregnant women, the treatment will involve a bitherapy approach, combining quinine with clindamycin. This dual strategy aims to maximize efficacy across different patient populations and disease presentations.

According to the director of the PNLP, the research data provided by PHARMAKINA has been instrumental in expanding the range of medical interventions available. This diversification is critical for addressing therapeutic failures observed in healthcare facilities, particularly given the challenges posed by `Traitement paludisme résistance RDC`. Dr. Patrick Chizungu, PHARMAKINA's representative in the DRC, confirmed the company's commitment to ensuring widespread availability. He stated that PHARMAKINA has significantly ramped up its production capabilities to guarantee a consistent supply of quinine treatments, aligning with both national and continental public health programs.

Before this new quinine formulation can be broadly distributed across the pharmaceutical market, it must undergo confirmatory `essais cliniques quinine Kinshasa`. These vital trials are slated to take place at the Kinshasa University Clinics, ensuring the protocol's safety and effectiveness are rigorously verified under local conditions. This regulatory step is a critical prerequisite for its eventual widespread adoption.

The introduction of this advanced medical solution comes at a time of profound public health concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Official statistics from the PNLP paint a grim picture, reporting over 30,000 malaria-related deaths in 2025 alone. The most vulnerable demographic remains children under the age of five, who tragically account for more than 70% of these fatalities, underscoring the severe epidemiological burden faced by the nation.

The endorsement of this new protocol signifies a pivotal moment in the DRC's ongoing battle against malaria. By providing a robust alternative, particularly one designed to counter drug resistance, the country is taking a decisive step towards improving patient outcomes for severe and complicated cases. The strategic collaboration between the PNLP and PHARMAKINA, coupled with the commitment to clinical validation, reflects a comprehensive approach to tackling one of the nation's deadliest diseases.

This development is expected to have far-reaching implications for healthcare providers and public health bodies across the DRC, offering renewed hope in the fight against a disease that continues to claim tens of thousands of lives annually, disproportionately affecting its youngest citizens. The focus on `quinine injectable 500 mg/2ml` as a cornerstone of this updated strategy highlights the continuous effort to adapt and innovate in the face of persistent health threats.

Lawyers advising pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, or public health bodies in the DRC should monitor the regulatory approval process and clinical trial outcomes for this new quinine protocol. This development will impact drug market authorization, distribution logistics, and healthcare compliance requirements for severe malaria treatment across the country.

Source: Reporting based on health authority announcements.