First malaria drug for babies is approved in ‘major public health milestone’
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first malaria drug made specifically for babies. This drug, called Coartem Baby, can treat infants as small as 2 kg and is expected to help reduce malaria deaths in young children, especially in parts of Africa.Key Facts
- Malaria infects up to 18% of children under six months in some African areas.
- In 2024, 610,000 people died from malaria, with about 75% of those deaths in children under five in Africa.
- Before this, babies were treated with versions of malaria drugs meant for older children, raising risks of incorrect dosing and side effects.
- Coartem Baby comes as cherry-flavored tablets that dissolve in liquids such as breast milk.
- WHO granted the drug prequalification, meaning it meets international safety and quality standards.
- The drug contains artemether and lumefantrine and was developed by Novartis and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).
- Research showed babies can catch malaria despite earlier beliefs about immunity passed from mothers.
- The treatment is already used in countries like Ghana and is being provided at mostly not-for-profit prices in regions where malaria is common.
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