Fixed dose antimalarial now available for adults and children

A new antimalarial combination treatment to be taken as a fixed dose once a day has been developed by a non-profit organisation for use in developing countries. The combination of artesunate and amodiaquine will be known by the brand name Coarsucam in private sector sales.

The non-patented drug is the first result of the drugs for neglected diseases initiative (DNDi), a non-profit product development organisation, and was produced in partnership with one of the world's largest drug companies, Sanofi-Aventis. Two other major sources of funding were Médecins Sans Frontières and the European Commission.

Artesunate is a water soluble derivative of artemisinin, which comes from the shrub Artemisia annua, long used in traditional Chinese medicine. The World Health Organization recommends treating malaria with artemisinin in combination with another antimalarial drug rather than on its own to prevent the development of resistance.

Until now the combination of artesunate and amodiaquine was available only in multi-tablet formulations. The new drug is a single tablet, which ensures that the two drugs are taken together and in the correct proportion. The drug is also the first combination of artesunate and amodiaquine that is available at three strengths suitable for children, including for infants. To public sector organisations the three day course of the drug will cost less than $1 for adults and less than $0.50 for children aged under 5 years.