HIV drugs block malaria in tests

[flashingnose]

I really hope this is true

[happymerryberries]

There are lots of anti malarials as it it. If people rae too poor to aford them, newer drugs will be of little use since they will be even more expensive and even less used to the poorest people.

What is needed is a malarial vaccine, but there is little drive to have one since onlt poor people tend to die of malaria

[SaintGeorge]

Is this the same drug that was featured on the TV recently?

Trying to remember what program it was - but the drug featured was amazing.

Re vaccine - there is actually quite a big drive to develop one but because it is a parasite it is incredibly difficult. They can vaccinate - but they need to do it with actual mossie bites rather than a needle.

[SaintGeorge]

Actually, thinking about it, it isn't the same one. The one in the program is extracted from a plant and was specifically for malaria. Apparently discovered in China but kept secret for years because of politics.

[flashingnose]

I saw that programme too SG - fascinating.

[SaintGeorge]

Artemesia, thats was the plant. Known as Wormwood in the west.

Still can't remember the program but little bits drifting back to me

The main problem was the quantity of the plant they need to grow because it has a relatively short shelf live. Cured people practically overnight though.

[flashingnose]

Was it Panorama? IIRC, they've now managed to produce it artificially. A reall eye-opener for me in terms of the years of research that go into these drugs and how stabilising them for commercial use can take so long.

[SaintGeorge]

Yeah, might have been.

Wasn't there still a problem with the artificial stuff though? Can't remember enough - that's the trouble with watching TV and MNing at the same time