Warning against increasing cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis and unavailability of meglumine in Pakistan

Leishmaniasis is the protozoal disease transmitted by sandfly vectors. Leishmaniasis due to the increase in its incidence is becoming a health concern globally. According to WHO approximately 0.5 million cases of leishmaniasis occur every year with 21,000 out of them being from Pakistan. A notification alert has been released by Directorate General Of Health Services Punjab on 5th June 2023, raising concern against the alarming increase in cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Punjab. Intralesional Meglumine Antimoniate is the drug of choice for treating cutaneous leishmaniasis and the LTE highlights the issue of its unavailability in Pakistan and how that is affecting patient care. This needs to be brought to light and taken notice of by the higher authorities.