Article published on the 2009-11-02 Latest update 2009-11-13 10:01 TU
The ACTwatch research project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, focuses on the availability, price and use of the drugs in seven African countries and Cambodia.
Desmond Chavasse is Vice President for Malaria Control and Child Survival at Population Services International (PSI), and project director of ACTwatch.
"When they get there, they generally will not find ACTs there – and if they do, they’ll find that they are so expensive that they can’t afford them."
ACTwatch found that ACTs are 10 to 20 times more expensive in the private sector than the most commonly available anti-malarials.
Dr Chevasse says that "this is ultimately what’s leading to the fact that most children in Africa are either not being treated at all for malaria - or they’re being treated with ineffective drugs."