Nobel Prize winner Tu Youyou may have found solution to malaria drug resistance
- Problem could be tackled by extending course of treatment and introducing new supplementary drugs, according to scientist
- Disease expert calls it a step forward but says ‘there are still many unknowns’
A top Chinese scientist says her team has found a way to tackle resistance to malaria drug artemisinin, state media reported on Monday.
Discovered in 1972, artemisinin – which was developed from a traditional Chinese medicine – has become integral to the control of malaria worldwide. But resistance to the drug has been a challenge in the Greater Mekong area of Southeast Asia, according to the World Health Organisation.
“Artemisinin combination treatments, or ACTs, are the first-line drugs for treating malaria recommended by the WHO, and the most important weapon in fighting against malaria worldwide,” Tu was quoted as saying.
“If plasmodia [the parasite which causes malaria] generally become drug resistant, the consequences will be severe. Scientists around the world are all very worried about drug resistance to artemisinin getting worse,” she said.
