WHO releases new guidelines for malaria treatment and drug procurement

The World Health Organization has released new guidelines for the treatment of malaria, and the first ever guidance on procuring safe and efficacious anti-malarial medicines. In recent years, the WHO points out, a new type of treatment - artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs) - has transformed the treatment of malaria, but warns that, if not used properly the medicine could become ineffective.

The Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria (second edition) provides evidence-based and current recommendations for countries on malaria diagnosis and treatment. The main changes from the first edition of the guidelines (published in 2006) are the emphasis on testing before treating and the addition of a new ACT to the list of recommended treatments.

Stresses need for diagnostic testing