Artesunate is an antimalarial drug that is used to treat severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. According to the Drug Patent Watch [1], artesunate is a derivative of artemisinin and is known to have a high efficacy rate against severe malaria. The drug works by rapidly reducing the number of parasites in the bloodstream, which helps to prevent complications associated with severe malaria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2] recommends artesunate as the preferred treatment for severe malaria in the United States. The CDC states that artesunate is highly effective in treating severe malaria and has a lower mortality rate compared to other antimalarial drugs. The drug is administered intravenously and is available in the United States through the CDC's Emergency Operations Center.

A study published in the Journal of Global Infectious Diseases [3] evaluated the efficacy of artesunate in treating severe malaria in India. The study found that artesunate was highly effective in reducing the parasite count and improving the clinical outcomes of patients with severe malaria. The study also reported that artesunate had a low incidence of adverse effects.

In conclusion, artesunate is a highly effective antimalarial drug that is used to treat severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The drug has a high efficacy rate and a lower mortality rate compared to other antimalarial drugs. Artesunate is administered intravenously and is available through the CDC's Emergency Operations Center. Studies have shown that artesunate is effective in reducing the parasite count and improving the clinical outcomes of patients with severe malaria.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/ARTESUNATE
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/artesunate.html
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4036668/