Cure for Malaria - Astemizole

This is great news, yet I'm strangely apprehensive about it.

From Guardian.co.uk:

A drug developed to treat allergies has been identified by US researchers as a potential cure for malaria. Tests in mice show that the antihistamine astemizole also kills the malaria parasite. It is already licensed for use in people, so it could be developed for use as a malaria drug in about 12 months. And because it is no longer under patent, it will be possible to manufacture it at rock-bottom prices.

Since it's estimated that more than one million people die every year from malaria, a cheap and effective cure is a godsend.

A research team led by Dr. David Sullivan at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore found that moderate doses of astemizole in mice cut the malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) population by 80%. Higher doses were 100% effective.

So, why am I apprenhesive? It's because everything sounds too good. A cheap, effective drug has been identified which will save the lives of countless people and relieve the suffering of millions around the globe. What's the downside? Seemingly nothing. And, that's the problem.

Nothing ever happens smoothly in the medical and pharmaceutical realms, and I fear that swarms of lawyers are brainstorming to file suit against somebody for something with regard to the use of astemizole. Or maybe there's an ecological or environmental issue involved that activists will deem worth protesting. Call me cynical, but it never seems that breakthroughs in medicine go swimmingly.

Nevertheless, based on preliminary information, everybody should be excited by this news.

Tip: Dissecting Leftism