An anti-malaria drug is being developed by the DRDO from an herb found in the north-east, which may be used as a better alternative to usual drugs like Chloroquine.

It was confirmed by Dr. W. Selvamurtyhy, Chief controller of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) on Sunday, "Six months back, we discovered the anti-malarial qualities in an herb Gommstema found exclusively in the northeast."

Mr. Selvamurtyhy also informed that Malaria is caused by the protozoal parasite Plasmodium Vivax Chloroquine and it has developed resistance with the commonly used Chloroquine. Furthermore, the other drug known as Automason also has side affects.

As of now, the newly discovered drug is under experimentation and is expected to offer full cure to the disease.

It is being claimed by the DRDP tat the Plasmodium Vivax strains from the blood of the affected person would be removed by the drug.

It was confirmed by Dr. Selvamurtyhy that the product has been tested and approved by Dr. Padmanabhan of IIS, Bangalore. He informed, "We are also identifying the chemical structure of the herb so that it could be cultivated for mass production of the drug."

He further added, "The efficacy has been proved, and now we are looking into the safety aspects. After that clinical trials would be conducted by the DRDO laboratory at Gwalior." He concluded that it might take another two years before the drug can be marketed.