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Published online 27 May 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2009.517
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Malaria vaccine enters phase III clinical trials
Success in large-scale studies could see drug to market by 2012
The world's most advanced malaria vaccine entered its final phase of pre-approval testing yesterday in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, raising hopes that the drug could be licensed for widespread use by 2012.
On 26 May, five infants aged 5–17 months were inoculated with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)'s RTS,S vaccine.
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Before leaving Nigeria for further studies here in United Kingdom, I had my own pharmaceutical outfit located in Makurdi, Benue State called Felbex Pharmacy. I was involved in Community Practice of Pharmacy for over two decades. During this period, I noticed that one of the greatest enemies to the already impoverished Africans is Malaria. Malaria was a seasonal problem that had fetched money for both the pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical practitioners. It was an enemy not just because of the unbearable symptoms that include general body pains that are severe at the joints, loss of appetite, chill and shivering, fever, tiredness and others. Malaria, when untreated or inadequately treated, could result in death. Rather, it was also an adversary because it depleted the little savings of the poor Africans who had already been sucked by those entrusted with their future; their lives. Notwithstanding the fact that I had been pleased by mothers who, then on their way from Wadata Market, Markurdi would happily informed me that their children whom they bought those anti-Malaria agents for few hours ago had recovered, I would be better-off to hear that these same kids will never ever experience manifestations of Malaria again. I would be gladdened by the fact that their parents could be relieved of this responsibility. That is what the Malaria vaccine will do as from 2012. It will be great to these children, their mothers and humanity in general. It will be a relief to the poor. The only group that will be sadden by this development is the manufacturers of pharmaceutical products that includes Anti-Malaria agents as well as the medical practitioners. Their turn-over, just like their profit from these underprivileged humans will nose-dive. Norbert Nwankwo, Research Student.