As per NVBDCP guidelines, a patient with slide-positive uncomplicated falciparum malaria in a general population area receives artesunate plus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. What additional antimalarial is given to destroy gametocytes and reduce transmission?

• A Quinine 10 mg/kg three times daily for 7 days
• B Artemether-lumefantrine for 3 days after ACT completion
• C Chloroquine 25 mg/kg over 3 days
• D Single dose primaquine 0.75 mg/kg on day 2 ✓

Explanation

The national drug policy adds a single dose of primaquine 0.75 mg/kg on day 2 as a gametocytocide for falciparum malaria, rendering gametocytes non-infective to mosquitoes. Quinine and chloroquine are no longer first-line for uncomplicated falciparum due to resistance. Artemether-lumefantrine is reserved for treatment failure or specific situations, not routinely added after ACT.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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