Africa sees renewed hope in malaria fight

Studies show drug developed in China more effective, easier to administer

The prevention and control of malaria in Africa is set to get a major boost from a new drug that is not only more effective, but also easier to administer than previous medicines, with the number of deaths attributed to the infectious disease expected to fall sharply as a result.

In case studies conducted in Kenya, second-generation artesunate for injection, developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Fosun Pharma, has proved highly effective in treating severe malaria in children, Kenyan health experts said.

In addition, the new drug — produced under the brand name Argesun — can be easier and faster to prepare, and safer to inject, than its predecessor, which is produced under the name Artesun, and has been widely used in dozens of countries for more than 10 years.