§ Tim Loughton:To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research he has undertaken into the distribution of non-effective anti-malarials to African countries; and what plans he has to discuss this with the (a) Global Fund and (b) World Health Organisation. [142182]
§ Hilary Benn:Death from malaria, due to poor management of the disease, is increasing in Africa. Evidence suggests that this is in part due to drug resistance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides recommendations for anti-malarial drug policy based on sound evidence. WHO and Roll Back Malaria provide technical support to governments and their decision on national policies for anti-malarial drug policy. DFID provides financial support to WHO and Roll Back Malaria.
We support the process whereby existing treatment protocols are reviewed regularly in the light of evidence from the field and changing patterns of resistance. We support national governments to help strengthen health systems to deliver effective treatment for poor people. A team from DFID will be meeting with Roll Back Malaria partners in Geneva shortly and we will raise these issues with them.