Context:

The first malaria treatment specifically designed for babies and very young children has been approved for use, addressing a critical gap in malaria care. This new treatment, developed by Novartis and named Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby, is set to be distributed in African countries where malaria is most prevalent, potentially within weeks. Malaria claimed approximately 597,000 lives in 2023, with children under five accounting for 75% of these deaths, highlighting the urgent need for an age-appropriate treatment. The initiative, supported by the Medicines for Malaria Venture and various governments, aims to provide an optimized dose for babies, reducing the risk of overdose associated with treatments meant for older children. Experts view this development as a significant breakthrough in combating malaria, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and emphasize the importance of making the drug available on a not-for-profit basis to ensure equitable access.

Dive Deeper:

• The new malaria treatment for babies, developed by Novartis, has been approved specifically to address the risk of overdose from using drugs meant for older children. This represents a significant advancement as no approved malaria drugs were previously available for infants.

• In 2023, malaria was linked to around 597,000 deaths, mostly in Africa, with three-quarters of these deaths occurring in children under five. The new treatment aims to reduce these alarming statistics by providing a safe, optimized dose for the youngest patients.

• The treatment, known as Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby, will be rolled out in African countries with high malaria rates. It was developed in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture, supported by international governments and organizations.

• Experts highlight the importance of this development in closing the 'treatment gap', ensuring even the smallest and most vulnerable children receive appropriate care. This breakthrough represents a crucial step in the ongoing fight against one of the world's deadliest diseases.

• The initiative is largely not-for-profit, emphasizing a commitment to reducing healthcare inequality and ensuring that the treatment is accessible to families across regions heavily impacted by malaria.

• The drug's approval is celebrated by health leaders as a major milestone, with significant contributions from eight African nations involved in the assessment and trials, paving the way for broader access and impact.

• Dr. Marvelle Brown points out that the high death rate from malaria, compounded by conditions like sickle cell disease, underscores the necessity of this treatment. The not-for-profit approach by Novartis is expected to mitigate healthcare disparities in affected regions.