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Zim to introduce new malaria drug
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
December 13, 2005

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=469&cat=1&livedate=12/13/2005

ZIMBABWE will introduce a new combination drug to treat malaria and complement existing drugs to which the malarial parasite has become resistant in recent years.

Addressing a Press conference recently, Health and Child Welfare secretary Dr Edward Mabiza said Artimecinin-based Combination Treatment (ACT) would be introduced in the next 12 to 18 months.

"We are working on the modalities of introducing Artimecinin-based Combination Treatment (ACT) and that would be done in the next few months," he said.

ACT is a combination drug made from China that has proved to be effective in fighting malaria without side effects.

The move follows increasing cases of resistance to the first line treatment, which includes Fansidar and Chloroquine, which have traditionally been used to fight malaria.

Dr Mabiza said ACT helped in the interruption of transmission and also had rapid action that eliminated the parasite moments after taking the drug.

"The advantage is that it is effective in eliminating the malaria parasite owing to the number of combinations that are in the drug which leaves no room for parasites to manoeuvre," he said.

Malaria claims thousands of lives annually, making it one of the major causes of death in the country.

There have been reported cases of resistance in endemic areas like Hwange and Gokwe.

However, the drug is relatively expensive when compared to the first line of drugs.

The drug costs about $100 000 compared to $30 000 for Chloroquine and Fansidar.

Part of the money would come from the Global Fund, which recently approved Zimbabwe’s application for funding in the fight against malaria, HIV and Aids and tuberculosis.

Apart from the use of drugs, Zimbabwe has stepped up the distribution of insecticide-treated nets and spraying of houses.

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