UGANDA HOPES TO MANUFACTURE ARTEMISIN-BASED ANTI-MALARIAL

In an example of a push towards homegrown production of drugs for major fatal diseases in Africa, Uganda is hoping to develop a new artemisinin-based combination therapy, which has its origins in the shrub wormwood. However, there are concerns that any new product could be as expensive as existing therapies. Imported doses cost some US$10, reportedly ten times as much as conventional products like chloroquine.

Ugandans' resistance to traditional anti-malarials has grown sharply in recent years, reaching over 60% in some areas. However, the government has now imported a variety of wormwood from Asia which has adapted well to local conditions. It is expected that health agencies will be able to synthesise a modified form of artemisin from the fast-growing plant. Meanwhile, international observers also hope that producing a new drug could help Uganda eliminate the need to controversially spray malarial areas with the highly toxic chemical DDT.