Switzerland’s recent approval of Coartem Baby, the first antimalarial treatment specifically designed for newborns and very young children, is a major step forward in tackling one of Africa’s most pressing public health challenges, says Dr Fortunate Mokoena, a malaria expert at the North-West University (NWU).
Developed by Novartis with support from the non-profit Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Coartem Baby is expected to be fast-tracked for approval in eight African countries that participated in the joint regulatory assessment. The Eight countries are Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.
The treatment, also known as Riamet Baby in some countries, was developed to address a long-standing gap in malaria care for neonates under 4,5kg.
“The burden of malaria is particularly severe among children under the age of five,” says Dr Mokoena from the NWU’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. “Addressing this issue not only tackles a critical public health challenge but also paves the way for a prosperous future for sub-Saharan Africa, which bears over 90% of the malaria burden.”
She adds that the drug approval sends a strong message about prioritising maternal and neonatal survival on the continent. “There is no greater gift to humanity than caring for our most vulnerable populations. This is incredibly positive news, and it fills me with pride to be African during such significant advancements.”
With no effective treatment previously designed for neonates, and malaria vaccines recommended only for children older than two years, newborns weighing under 5kg have had limited options. “These precious little ones have often been treated with formulations intended for older children, which can lead to issues of intolerance and toxicity,” says Dr Mokoena. “Coartem Baby represents a significant step forward by providing vital medicine with an optimised dosage.”
Despite the breakthrough, she cautioned that some hurdles lie ahead. “There is an urgent need for the continent to explore additional funding avenues for these treatments. Furthermore, investing in local manufacturing infrastructure is essential to reduce the production costs of these life-saving medications.”
From: North-West University (NWU)
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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