Protect yourself against malaria with expert pharmacist advice and same-day prescriptions. We assess your destination, recommend the right antimalarial, and dispense your tablets at the same appointment — no GP referral, no waiting.
Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It cannot be caught from person-to-person contact — only through mosquito bites (or very rarely through blood transfusion or shared needles).
Symptoms typically appear 7 to 30 days after being bitten, but can take up to a year to develop. Early symptoms include high fever, sweating and chills, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and diarrhoea. If untreated, malaria can progress rapidly to severe illness including organ failure, seizures, coma, and death — sometimes within 24 hours of the first symptom.
There are five species of Plasmodium that infect humans. Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous and is the predominant species in sub-Saharan Africa. Plasmodium vivax is common in South and Southeast Asia and can relapse months or years after initial infection. Both can be prevented with the right antimalarial medication.
Malaria kills over 600,000 people per year globally. The vast majority of deaths are preventable with appropriate prophylaxis. Taking antimalarial tablets as prescribed, combined with bite prevention measures, reduces your risk of infection by over 90%.
No antimalarial is 100% effective, which is why bite prevention (DEET repellent, bed nets, covering exposed skin at dusk and dawn) is always recommended alongside medication. Our pharmacists will advise on both.
| Malarone | Doxycycline | Mefloquine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic name | Atovaquone / Proguanil | Doxycycline | Mefloquine |
| How it works | Kills the parasite in the liver before it reaches the blood | Stops the parasite multiplying in the blood | Kills the parasite in the blood |
| Dosing | 1 tablet daily | 1 capsule daily | 1 tablet weekly |
| Start before travel | 1–2 days | 1–2 days | 2–3 weeks |
| Continue after return | 7 days | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Common side effects | Headache, stomach upset, mouth ulcers (generally well tolerated) | Sun sensitivity, stomach upset, thrush (women) | Vivid dreams, dizziness, anxiety (less common but can be significant) |
| Best for | Short trips, last-minute travel, fewest side effects | Budget-conscious travellers, longer trips | Longer trips where weekly dosing is preferred |
| Not suitable for | Severe kidney impairment | Pregnancy, children under 12 | History of depression, anxiety, epilepsy, or psychiatric conditions |
Malaria risk varies by destination, region, and season. Our pharmacist will assess your specific itinerary during consultation.
Malaria risk is high throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa year-round, including popular destinations like Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Uganda, and Mozambique. Antimalarial prophylaxis is recommended for virtually all travellers to these regions regardless of itinerary. Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant species — the most dangerous form.
Malaria risk in Asia is regional and seasonal. Countries including India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and parts of Indonesia and the Philippines have areas of transmission. Risk is typically highest in rural, forested, and border areas rather than major cities. Your pharmacist will assess your specific itinerary to determine whether prophylaxis is needed.
Parts of the Amazon basin (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador), Central America (Panama, Honduras, Guatemala), and Haiti carry malaria risk. Risk varies significantly by altitude, region, and season. Urban areas and high-altitude destinations (e.g. Cusco, Bogotá, Quito) are generally malaria-free. Your pharmacist will advise based on your exact destinations and activities.
No antimalarial tablet is 100% effective. Combining medication with bite prevention measures reduces your risk of malaria infection by over 90%. Our pharmacists will advise on both during your consultation.
Apply to all exposed skin from dusk to dawn. Reapply every 4–6 hours. We stock pharmaceutical-grade DEET at both pharmacies.
Sleep under a treated net every night in risk areas, even in air-conditioned rooms. Tuck the net under your mattress.
Wear long sleeves, long trousers, and socks from dusk to dawn when Anopheles mosquitoes are most active.
Prescription and tablets in one visit — approximately 15–20 minutes total.
Our GPhC-registered pharmacist reviews your destinations, travel dates, accommodation type, planned activities, medical history, and any current medications. We determine whether you need antimalarials and which option is most appropriate for your trip.
Your antimalarial is prescribed and dispensed at the same appointment. We provide clear dosing instructions — when to start, how to take it, and how long to continue after you return. No GP referral needed.
Leave with your antimalarial tablets, bite prevention advice, and the confidence that you're properly protected. We're available for follow-up questions before or during your trip.
All prices include pharmacist consultation, prescription, dispensing, and bite prevention advice.
