There appears to be a large a gap in the literature between primary work on
malaria control and policy on the one hand and the interpretation of such
work in making real policy decisions on the other. The focus of the present
review is policy formulation for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum mal
aria, rather than prophylaxis in travellers or the treatment of severe dise
ase. The World Health Organization has formulated guidelines addressing the
issue of changing from one recommended drug for treating malaria to anothe
r, but there does not appear to have been a comprehensive attempt to descri
be how and when such a decision on drug policy should be made. Issues of dr
ug availability, both to countries and to communities within them, are disc
ussed, as well as the acceptability of drug regimens and compliance with th
em. It emerges that the cost of treatment has a disproportionate influence
on the decision-making process, and that the indirect costs of drug failure
are often not considered properly. Brief mention is made of the indicators
of overall disease burden. There is some discussion about the usefulness o
f one recently introduced economic indicator: the disability-adjusted life-
year (DALY). Also examined are the difficulties that arise within the conte
xt of drug-policy changes, such as a regimen's appropriateness to all targe
t groups, and the strong influence of the private sector on decision-making
that affects its own financing. The consensus seems to be that a policy ch
ange is urgent when high-level resistance occurs in 40% or more of treated
cases, when parasitological response is poor, and when the costs of treatme
nt failures are higher than those of treatments with a newer drug. It also
emerges that much remains to be done regarding co-operation between public
and private sectors; considering the importance of private-sector provision
of health care, this needs to be addressed.