This revolutionary medication is expected to greatly reduce malaria-related fatalities, particularly among the most vulnerable age group.
**First Malaria Treatment for Infants Gains Approval in Major Breakthrough**
**First Malaria Treatment for Infants Gains Approval in Major Breakthrough**
A much-anticipated malaria treatment specifically for infants is set to be introduced in African nations shortly.
The first malaria treatment designed exclusively for babies and very young children has received approval for use, marking a significant milestone in combating the life-threatening disease. Tentatively named Coartem Baby, this medication is finally set to replace the unsafe and outdated practice of administering adult formulas to infants under 4.5kg. With malaria accounting for approximately 597,000 deaths globally in 2023—with the majority occurring in Africa and predominantly affecting children under five—this new drug could drastically alter the healthcare landscape.
In the face of dire statistics indicating high mortality rates due to malaria, pharmaceutical company Novartis has partnered with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) to develop this treatment. The drug is planned to be distributed on a not-for-profit basis, making it accessible to countries and regions most afflicted by malaria, with expectations for rollout beginning within weeks.
Vas Narasimhan, Novartis’s chief executive, emphasizes the importance of this approval, describing it as a breakthrough in the long-standing battle against malaria. Additionally, Martin Fitchet, CEO of MMV, views this as a crucial step toward the ultimate goal of eradicating malaria, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Health experts are heralding this development as a major advancement. Dr. Marvelle Brown from the University of Hertfordshire highlighted the critical health implications of this new drug, particularly considering the disproportionately high death rate among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, this initiative aims to reduce inequalities in healthcare access, particularly for infants suffering from severe conditions like sickle cell disease, which makes them more susceptible to malaria.
This new treatment arrives as part of a broader scientific effort to combat malaria, alongside other advancements such as the recent endorsement of a vaccine and the initiative to treat mosquitoes, signifying a multi-faceted approach to eliminating this devastating disease globally.
In the face of dire statistics indicating high mortality rates due to malaria, pharmaceutical company Novartis has partnered with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) to develop this treatment. The drug is planned to be distributed on a not-for-profit basis, making it accessible to countries and regions most afflicted by malaria, with expectations for rollout beginning within weeks.
Vas Narasimhan, Novartis’s chief executive, emphasizes the importance of this approval, describing it as a breakthrough in the long-standing battle against malaria. Additionally, Martin Fitchet, CEO of MMV, views this as a crucial step toward the ultimate goal of eradicating malaria, particularly in vulnerable populations.
Health experts are heralding this development as a major advancement. Dr. Marvelle Brown from the University of Hertfordshire highlighted the critical health implications of this new drug, particularly considering the disproportionately high death rate among young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, this initiative aims to reduce inequalities in healthcare access, particularly for infants suffering from severe conditions like sickle cell disease, which makes them more susceptible to malaria.
This new treatment arrives as part of a broader scientific effort to combat malaria, alongside other advancements such as the recent endorsement of a vaccine and the initiative to treat mosquitoes, signifying a multi-faceted approach to eliminating this devastating disease globally.
