Synthetic drugs to tackle malaria

The UK is developing new technology to meet demand for malaria drugs that is forecast to quadruple over the next four years.

Analysts have predicted 300 million doses of artemisinin combined therapies (ACTs) will be needed annually by 2012.

To meet demand for artemisinin, which can take more than two years to grow, extract and formulate, a UK working group is focusing on new technologies.

The first is using a fast track breeding method to increase the amount of artemisinin that can be gathered from plants at the University of York.

Meanwhile, the Institute for One World Health and Medicines for Malaria Venture are looking at making artemisinin synthetically.

There is concern the current supply of artemisinin will not meet demand, particularly on the back of extreme price fluctuations which could make many farmers reconsider growing the product.

Researchers are under pressure to develop new drugs to treat malaria as strains become increasingly resistant to old therapies.

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