One reason why research is needed to develop new antimalaria drugs is the the appearance of resistance to drugs currently in use. The mainstay of malaria treatment is now artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) but many ACTs in circulation are faked or substandard versions. These products tend to contain low doses of active drugs, and when the malaria parasite is exposed to such doses the development of resistant strains is more likely to occur.

Action against fakes has generally been inadequate. News that fakes have been intercepted and seized by the authorities is always welcome therefore. AllAfrica.com reports that Nigeria’s National Agency of Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has impounded a consignment of nine packages of the antimalarial Lonart (artemether plus lumafantrine) valued at Naira 10 million ($67 million). NAFDAC made the discovery during routine checks at Lagos airport and employed their recently acquired drug testing equipment to establish that the drugs were faked.

While the story is encouraging, one can only speculate as to how many fake antimalarials (and other drugs) are still entering countries like Nigeria undetected.