WHO approves first Malaria drug for babies

Children under five bear the brunt of malaria’s toll, accounting for over two-thirds of global deaths from the mosquito-borne disease. In a landmark move ahead of World Malaria Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified the first antimalarial drug tailored for infants weighing less than 5 kilograms (11 pounds)—a formulation of artemether and lumefantrine known as Coartem Baby. Validviewnetwork reports that this approval, developed by Novartis with Medicines for Malaria Venture, addresses dosing risks from repurposed older-child drugs, which often led to toxicity and errors for the tiniest patients.

Treatment Breakthrough

This infant-specific version disperses easily in breast milk with a sweet taste, ensuring safe administration in malaria hotspots. WHO prequalification fast-tracks procurement by UN agencies and governments, even without full local trials, targeting 30 million babies born yearly in endemic African regions. Validviewnetwork reports note its rollout in eight African trial countries following Swissmedic authorization, promising not-for-profit access to curb Sub-Saharan Africa’s 90% share of cases.

ADVERTISEMENT

Malaria’s Global Toll

Sub-Saharan Africa shoulders nine in ten cases, with 282 million infections and over 500,000 deaths in 2024 despite progress averting 14 million since 2000. Pregnant women face 10,000 annual deaths, 200,000 stillbirths, and 550,000 low-birth-weight babies from the disease. Recent WHO advances include three new rapid diagnostic tests for evolved parasites—vital in the Horn of Africa where 80% of cases went undetected—and the 2021 RTS,S vaccine rollout in African nations.

Path Forward

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the drug as a tide-turner alongside next-gen nets and vaccines. Africa CDC echoes this, praising African-led trials for bridging the under-5kg care gap. As cases persist, this innovation offers real hope for vulnerable