In a major medical breakthrough in child health, Swiss authorities have approved the world’s first malaria medicine specifically for newborns and very young babies. Called Coartem Baby, the treatment was developed by global pharma company Novartis and will soon be rolled out in several African countries, where malaria remains a deadly threat, especially to children under five.
Babies Finally Get a Safe Malaria Treatment
Until now, there was no approved malaria medicine for babies who weigh less than 4.5 kg. Doctors had to give them medicine meant for older children, which was risky. Since babies’ bodies are different, using the wrong dose could lead to side effects or even overdose.
Coartem Baby is made especially for small babies. It dissolves easily, even in breast milk, and comes in a cherry flavour, making it easier for parents to give. It is also known as Riamet Baby in some countries.
Malaria Still Kills Thousands of Children
Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases in the world, especially in Africa. According to 2023 data shared by the BBC, malaria caused around 597,000 deaths, and almost 75 per cent of these were children under five. Most of these deaths were in African countries where malaria is common.
Although there were medicines for older children, the youngest ones were often left out. Health experts have been warning about this gap in treatment for years. Coartem Baby is expected to finally help close this gap.
African Countries Helped in Development
Eight African countries: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda, took part in testing the new medicine. These countries are also likely to be the first to approve and start using Coartem Baby.
The medicine was developed in partnership with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), a Swiss non-profit supported by the governments of Britain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and organisations like the World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Novartis to Distribute Medicine at Low Cost
Novartis has said it will provide the medicine at low or no profit, making it more affordable. CEO Vas Narasimhan called this a “big moment” in the fight against malaria.
“Even the smallest and most vulnerable can now receive the care they deserve,” he told the BBC.
MMV CEO Martin Fitchet added:
“Malaria is one of the world’s deadliest diseases, but it can be beaten. This new medicine helps protect babies who were previously left out.”
A new hope for Africa’s children
Novartis launched the original Coartem medicine in 1999 for adults and older children. Coartem Baby now brings hope for newborns and infants, the group most likely to die from malaria.
With this new approval, African countries will soon have a safer way to treat their youngest and most at-risk children.
