WHO CREATES GUIDE FOR PRODUCING MALARIA DRUG INGREDIENT

The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) has published guidelines for the cultivation and collection of Artemisia annua L., a medicinal plant that is the source of artemisinin, which is used to produce the most effective medicines for malaria. The guidelines aim to improve the quality of Artemisia annua L. and to ensure a sustainable supply to meet market demand.

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have been recommended by WHO since 2001 in all countries where falciparum malaria — the most drug-resistant form of the disease — is endemic.

Since then, the world market for products containing artemisinin has grown rapidly. However, not all artemisinin meets the required standards to produce high quality medicines, according to WHO.

The agency's guidelines are based on research data and the practical experience of several producers.

The guidelines are available at www.who.int/medicines/publications/traditional/ArtemisiaMonograph.pdf.