Pakistan, Asia

Malaria Risk Travel Information

What is the risk of malaria in Pakistan?

Risk is present in the whole country in areas below 2000m (i.e. everywhere except in the Himalayas in the far north).

Antimalarials are advised in Pakistan if visiting any at risk areas. Please remember to also follow the bite avoidance measures below in all areas.

Please check HERE to see a malaria map of Pakistan on fitfortravel (a NHS website).

IMPORTANT NEWS - Currently there is quite a bit of confusion about what should be taken to prevent malaria in high risk areas of Pakistan. This is due to the fact that the situation in Pakistan appears to be changing and in response to the International Travel and Health Bulletin 2012 produced by The World Health Organisation and other studies that have highlighted resistance to Proguanil/Chloroquine treatments in Pakistan, some official health organisations, and parts of the NHS, have changed their advice. In our professional opinion we recommend that visitors should take the medications least likely to meet resistance and these are the ones we are offering here.

We will contact all customers buying Proguanil/Chloroquine for India to inform them of the current situation and to give them the option of purchasing a medication that offers better protection. If customers wish to continue with the purchase of Proguanil/Chloroquine at least this has been done from a fully informed position. Many thanks for your patience - Andrew, part of the Pharmacist team at Travelpharm

What Malaria prophylaxis do I need to prevent malaria in Pakistan?

High Risk Areas

I don't yet have a prescription from my Doctor

If you don't already have a prescription from your Doctor for malaria medication, you can save precious time by using our online consultation service to order the suitable malaria medicines for this region by clicking on the following links. Any of the medicine listed can be recommended for malaria prevention in this region.

Atovaquone/Proguanil Generic Alternative to Malarone - Online Consultation

Malarone Tablets - Online Consultation

Malarone Children's Tablets (for Children under 40kg weight) - Online Consultation

Doxycycline Capsules - Online Consultation

Lariam Tablets (Mefloquine 250mg) - Online Consultation

Your online consultation will be reviewed by a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber registered in the UK with the General Pharmaceutical Council. There is a fee of £10 for each medicine consultation plus medicine costs, however we don't charge you a second fee if you are buying the same medication for more than one person. We only dispense genuine UK licensed medicines.

I already have a prescription from my Doctor

If you already have a prescription for malaria medicine from your Family Doctor, then you can order the quantity on your prescription(s) on the following links. For Travelpharm will supply your prescription, once we receive it from you. When you place your order on one of the links below, please follow the instructions on where to send the prescription.

I have a prescription from a Doctor for Atovaquone/Proguanil

I have a prescription from a Doctor for Malarone

I have a prescription from a Doctor for Malarone for Children (under 40kg)

I have a prescription from a Doctor for Doxycycline

I have a prescription from a Doctor for Lariam

So what else can I do to prevent malaria?

All travellers should however follow the bite avoidance measures below:

• Use mosquito nets impregnated with permethrin or Deltamethrin. These insecticides kill mosquitoes instantly by acting on their central nervous system. During daytime, tie the net in a knot and leave it hanging from the ceiling. At bedtime untie the net and check carefully for hidden mosquitoes or any tears. Holes or tears must be mended with adhesive tape or thread. Tuck the edge of the net under the mattress and make sure there are no openings.

• Use mosquito and insect killing or "knock down" products in the bedroom. Regular use of these products is necessary so that the product comes into contact with any new insects that enter the room. Our extensive range of insect and mosquito room insecticides can be found here.

• Apply insect repellent to all exposed areas of skin, avoiding eyes and mouth. Also apply to clothing, reapplying frequently in accordance with the manufacturers directions. We advise the use of N, N-diethylmetatoluamide (or DEET to you and me) containing products. DEET has been widely used for over 50 years and has quite clearly been shown to be one of the most effective repellent products. The use of 50% DEET products is usually sufficient in normal conditions. Our range of insect and mosquito repellent products can be found here.

• From sunset onwards here are a few free and easy tips to reduce the chance of getting bitten. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, obvious, we know, but this will at least reduce skin available to be bitten. Wear Light colours as these attract mosquitoes less than dark clothing. Remember that aftershave and perfumes will tend to attract mosquitoes, so going without could help reduce the risk of being bitten.

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