Researchers at the World Health Organization are to begin a clinical trial in three African countries for a new drug, moxidectin, in the hope of eliminating river blindness.

River blindness, onchocerciasis, is one of the most devastating parasitic diseases, prevalent in many African countries, and is transmitted by the blackfly, which breeds in fast flowing rivers. Currently, the disease is controlled by the drug ivermectin, which has been donated to countries where onchocerciasis is endemic for the past 20 years by the pharmaceutical company Merck.

“Ivermectin is a time tested, safe drug for the community in general,” …