1.2 Drug-combinations for MDA Antimalarial drugs are only suitable for MDA if they are safe, effective in clearing asexual parasites and have a profound effect on gametocytes. Artemisinin based combination therapy fulfils all these criteria. The combination of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and a three dose regimen of artesunate (AS) has been extensively tested in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, is safe and efficacious in clearing asexual parasites and reduces gametocytaemia. In pregnant women, no negative effects of AS were reported.