Malaria drugs too costly for Africans

Newer generation malaria drugs can cost up to 65 times the daily minimum wage in some African countries, a recent study shows, despite about a million people dying of the illness worldwide each year. By comparison, old drugs to which the malaria parasite has become resistant cost just $0.30 cents. Children account for about 90% of the deaths in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, which are the worst-affected areas. The UN Children’s Fund says it has enough money to provide bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticide to everyone in Africa by 2010. Sounds like the big drug makers should wake up and smell the roses. Read more: Reuters, World Health Organisation, IOL