The first malaria treatment, suitable for the baby and very young children, has been approved for use.
It is expected to be released in African countries in a few weeks.
There have been no malaria drugs specially approved for the baby so far.
Instead, they were treated in formalized versions for older children who expressed the risk of overdose.
2023 -Malaria, the year that can use the most recent numbers, was associated with about 597,000 deaths.
Almost all deaths were in Africa, about 3/4 of them were children under 5 years old.
Malaria treatment for children exists, but so far, the youngest baby and children, less than 4.5 kg or less than 10 pounds, have not been specific.
Instead, they were treated with drugs designed for older children.
However, the dose of this older child is at risk because the liver function is still developing and the body may not be safe for babies who handle the drug differently.
Experts say that this led to what was described as the “treatment gap”.
The new drugs developed by drug company Novartis have been approved by the Swiss authorities and are likely to be released in the highest areas and countries with the highest malaria within a few weeks.
Novartis plans to introduce it as a non -profit basis.
Vas Narasimhan, the chief executive of the company, says this is an important moment.
“For more than 30 years, we have been constantly trying to convey scientific breakthroughs where scientific breakthroughs are most needed while maintaining the course in the fight with Malaria.
“With a partner, we are proud to develop the first clinically proven malaria treatment for newborns and young babies, and we are proud to ensure that even the smallest and most vulnerable people can finally be eligible for them.”
Known as Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby in some countries, the drug was developed in cooperation with MMV (Medicines for Malaria Venture) by Novartis, in cooperation with non -profit organizations supported by the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the Dutch government, the World Bank and Rockefeller Foundation.
Eight African countries have also participated in the evaluation and test of drugs and are expected to approach them for the first time.
Martin Fitchet, the CEO of MMV, says this is another important stage on the way to finish the huge toll taken by Malaria.
“Malaria is one of the most deadly diseases in the world, especially among children, but can be removed with proper resources and focus.
“COARTEM BABY’s approval provides the necessary drugs with optimized doses to treat other ignored patient groups and provides valuable additions to the anti -malaria tool box.”
Dr. Marvele Brown, associate professor of Hertfordshire University’s Schhool of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, says this should be considered a big breakthrough in saving the lives of babies and young children.
“Malaria infections, especially in sub -Saharan Africa, are very high, more than 76% of deaths in children under 5 years old.
“The increase in death caused by malaria becomes more complicated for babies born as a hypertrophy disease due to a humble immune system.
“From a public health perspective, novartis creates a non -profit for this non -profit can help to reduce inequality in health care.”
