Triple artemisinin-containing combination anti-malarial treatments should be implemented now to delay the emergence of resistance

Abstract

Resistance threatens all our currently available anti-malarial drugs. Triple artemisinin-containing combination anti-malarial treatments (TACTs) combine an artemisinin derivative with two slowly eliminated partner drugs. TACTs are undergoing large-scale trials. If they prove safe, well-tolerated and efficacious then they should be deployed. This is in order to protect and extend the useful therapeutic life of the current generation of anti-malarial drugs, which are so essential for malaria control and elimination.