Antimalarial drugs currently available

Malaria remains an enormous burden to global health. The 1995 World Health Report (47) indicates that the disease is endemic in more than 90 countries which comprise 40% of the world s population. The incidence of malaria has been steadily increasing to a current annual estimate of 300-500 million clinical cases 1.5-2.7 million of these result in death with the vast majority of lethalities due to infection with Plasmodium falciparum. The reasons for resurgence of malaria are numerous and complex, but a primary factor is the spread of resistance to currently available antimalarial drugs. The discovery and development of selective new agents for therapy and propylaxis is, therefore, of paramount importance. 

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