Anti-malarial drug pulled due to side-effects

A British manufacturer has been forced to withdraw its anti-malarial drug due to its side-effects.

GlaxoSmithKline have announced that Lapdap will be taken off the market, after fears that it could cause severe anaemia in children.

A 2004 report by the World Health Organisation warned that the drug should not be given to patients who had glucose-6-phosphate dhydrogenase deficiency, a hereditary enzyme disorder.

However, it noted that at least ten per cent of Africans have the disorder.

A map, created by researchers at Oxford University, recently showed that over a third of the world's population live in an area where there is a risk of deadly malaria.

"At a time when donors and international agencies are spending more money on malaria control and re-considering the prospects of malaria elimination, it is critical to have a map of where the disease risks exist," said Professor Bob Snow, who led the team.

News brought to you by Global Health TV, covering the issues of Health in the Developing world

Send this article to a friend

Comment on this article

Bookmark this video

Send Article to friend

Your email:
Friends email:
Your message: