Free Market Availability of Rapid Diagnostics Will Empower Communities To Control Malaria in India.

Globally, malaria incidence has declined but further reductions in malaria are not evident in many countries. In addition to the public health approaches for tackling malaria, involvement of the private sector is vital because the private sector plays a central role in healthcare delivery to the masses. In India, malaria management is primarily provided through government programs, nonetheless, significant numbers of fever patients continue to seek healthcare in the private sector. The private sector in India is comprised of formal healthcare (qualified and approved), informal healthcare (unqualified, untrained), including traditional healers. Commercial channels for the procurement of quality-assured malaria diagnostics like rapid diagnostic tests via pharmacies or other approved outlets would empower Indian populations to self-detect malaria without delay. Easier access would minimize the diagnostic time gap, reduce costs to the patient, prevent inappropriate malaria treatment, and foster timely treatment of both malaria and non-malaria infections. Commercially available rapid diagnostic tests in the hands of the people could be an important tool in our fight against malaria.