Malaria control requires an integrated approach, including prevention (primarily vector control) and prompt treatment with effective antimalarials. Since the publication of the first edition of these Guidelines in 2006, most of the countries where P. Falciparum is endemic have progressively updated treatment policies from the failing chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine to the recommended artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs); this is the best current treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Unfortunately, the implementation of these policies has lagged behind due to various factors like high costs.

The second edition of these Guidelines provides simple and straightforward treatment recommendations based on sound evidence that can be applied even in severely resource-constrained settings. The number of antimalarial drug trials published has continued to increase over the years, so the Guidelines have a firmer evidence base than previous treatment recommendations.

Since the release of the first edition, the WHO standard methods for guidelines development has evolved and this second edition was developed in accordance with the updated WHO standards methods for guidelines development. This methodology incorporates a transparent link between research evidence and recommendations. The GRADE system, which has been incorporated into this update, is a uniform approach being widely adopted globally.