For the first time, a malaria treatment specifically designed for babies and very young children has been approved for use. The medicine, developed by Novartis, will be rolled out in African countries within weeks. Until now, babies under 4.5kg have relied on older child treatments that carry risks of overdose.
According to World Health Organization data, malaria was linked to 597,000 deaths worldwide in 2023, with nearly all of them occurring in Africa. The disease disproportionately affects children under five years old.
The new treatment, Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby, is designed for newborns and young babies who weigh less than 10lb. Novartis plans to make it available on a largely not-for-profit basis, with the aim of increasing access to healthcare in resource-poor regions.
Experts welcome the approval as a major breakthrough in saving lives. “Malaria is one of the world’s deadliest diseases,” says Dr Marvelle Brown, associate professor at the University of Hertfordshire. “The new treatment provides a much-needed option for babies and young children.”
Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan describes the development as an important milestone in the fight against malaria. The company collaborated with the Medicines for Malaria Venture to develop the treatment, which has undergone rigorous testing in eight African nations.
As the rollout begins, experts hope that this new medicine will help reduce inequality in access to healthcare and save countless lives.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89e872jdjxo