Geneva has announced a major breakthrough in global health as the first malaria treatment made specifically for babies is set to launch in African nations within weeks. Named Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby, the new medicine was developed by Novartis in partnership with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) to fill a long-standing treatment gap for infants under 4.5 kilograms.
Previously, newborns with malaria were given dosages meant for older children, posing risks due to their fragile bodies’ different responses to medication. Malaria continues to be a leading killer of children under five, with around 597,000 deaths globally in 2023 — the majority in Africa.
The Swiss health regulator has cleared the drug for use, and Novartis has pledged to distribute it to the most affected regions on a mostly not-for-profit basis. The MMV’s Martin Fitchet said this approval finally gives doctors a safe, proven way to treat newborns, who have often been neglected in malaria care.
Eight African countries that participated in clinical trials will be among the first to receive the medicine. Experts believe the drug could significantly reduce malaria deaths among babies, especially those born with weaker immunity. Novartis confirmed it will keep prices low to ensure the treatment reaches families and clinics that need it most, offering renewed hope to parents and health workers battling malaria across the continent.
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