A recently developed anti-malarial drug modified for children will soon reach Africa in an effort to save millions in the disease-stricken continent.
The new drug known as ASAQ is the product of a two-year project and a combination of the most effective malaria drugs, for which 16 million euros have been spent, AP reported.
"This drug will save lives," said Dr. Bernard Pecoul, executive director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative. "The aim of this project was to develop a product as adapted as possible to the malaria situation in Africa."
ASAQ is cheaper than other currently available fixed-dose combinations, and will be available at-cost price to countries battling malaria, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. The pills cost less than 50 cents for children, and less than 1 dollar for older children and adults. Even at these relatively low costs, however, that may still be too expensive for Africa.
The drug has already been registered in Morocco, and has been authorized in 10 other African countries.
Cases of malaria hit around 500 million every year, with the death toll amounting to 1 million, mostly children under 5. The major area where the disease is concentrated is Sub-Saharan Africa.
If ASAQ and other drugs are made widely available, the number of malaria cases in Africa is expected to go through a dramatic decline.
