Novartis Receives Approval for First Malaria Medicine for Newborns and Young Infants.

International

Switzerland’s drug authority Swissmedic has granted approval for Coartem Baby (also called Riamet Baby), marking the world’s first malaria treatment specifically formulated for newborns and young infants weighing between 2–5 kg.


      - This milestone addresses a significant treatment gap in malaria care, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where children under five account for over 75% of malaria-related deaths.

      - Coartem Baby combines the antimalarial drugs artemether and lumefantrine in a carefully adjusted lower-dose formulation with a cherry flavor and dissolvable in breast milk for easier administration.

      - Previously, infants were treated with adult or older-children doses, which risked overdose or toxicity—making this tailored version a vital improvement.

Main Point :-   (i) The approval is expected to lead to rapid rollout across at least eight malaria-endemic African nations—including Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania—thanks to Swissmedic's special Global Health Products pathway. Novartis plans to launch the treatment on a mostly not-for-profit basis, with public health advocates emphasizing the need for affordable, transparent pricing.

      (ii) Experts laud this as a game-changing development in the fight against infant malaria. Dr. Bhargavi Rao of the London School of Hygiene notes that it fills a “nearly 20-year gap” in treatment, while the World Health Organization reported 597,000 malaria deaths in 2023—95% in Africa, with young children being especially vulnerable.

(iii) This approval comes amid rising antimalarial resistance and budget cuts in global health funding, further underscoring its importance.

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