A cure for malaria - or is it?

I was astonished and excited to read that a research team at the University of Cape Town in South Africa claims to have developed a single-dose cure for malaria.  National Geographic's Newswatch reports:

Unlike conventional multidrug malaria treatments that the malaria parasite has become resistant to, Professor Kelly Chibale and his colleagues now believe that they have discovered a drug that over 18 months of trials ”killed these resistant parasites instantly”.

Animal tests also showed that it was not only safe and effective, but there were no adverse reported side effects. Clinical tests are scheduled for the end of 2013.

Potential Impact for Africa

If this tablet is approved in coming years, this achievement will surely usher in a new age for science in Africa. It will save millions upon millions of lives on the continent, helping avoid at least 24 percent of child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Professor Chibale proudly explains: “This is the first ever clinical molecule that’s been discovered out of Africa, by Africans, from a modern pharmaceutical industry drug discovery programme. The potent drug has been tested on animals and has shown that a single oral dose has completely cured those infected with malaria parasites.”

This “super pill” could potentially cure millions of people every year, and save the lives of over one million people from around the world each year. This “cure” will most likely save health care systems throughout the developing world billions of dollars and open new areas for development and settlement.

There's more at the link.  The news release from the University of Cape Town may be read here.

Two things worry me about this report.  First, it's been announced well over a year before human trials commence.  Surely it would have been more appropriate to be a little more circumspect about it, rather than raise hopes that may be in vain?  Secondly, the Virodene scandal and official mishandling of the AIDS epidemic have created a climate of suspicion concerning any new 'miracle cure' claims from South Africa.

I hope and pray that these reports are correct, and that a cure for malaria has finally been found . . . but I won't allow myself to get excited over them unless and until human trials prove fully successful, with no harmful side-effects.

Peter