The first malaria vaccine for adopting use

The first treatment for malaria suitable for children and young children was approved for use.

It is expected to be put in Africa within weeks.

Until now there have been specifically malaria drugs for children.

Instead, they were treated with the versions that were formulated for older children that pose a danger to an overdose.

In 2023 – the year in which the latest numbers are available – Malaria was linked to about 597,000 deaths.

Almost all deaths were in Africa, and about three quarters were children under the age of five.

Malaria treatments are for children but so far, there has been nothing specifically for younger children and young children, whose weight is less than 4.5 kg or about 10 pounds.

Instead, they were treated with drugs designed for older children.

But this represents risks, because the doses of these older children may not be safe for children who are still developing liver function and which treats medicines that treat them differently.

Experts say this led to what is described as a “therapeutic gap.”

Now a new drug, developed by the Novartis Pharmaceutical Company, was approved by the Swiss authorities and is likely to be put in the regions and countries with the highest rates of malaria within weeks.

Novartis plans to present it on a largely incomparable basis.

The company’s CEO, Fez Narayimhan, says it is an important moment.

“For more than three decades, we remained the path in the battle against malaria, and they worked unabated to achieve scientific breakthroughs where they were needed.

“Along with our partners, we are proud to go further to develop the first clinical -fixed malaria treatment for newborn and young infants, ensuring even smaller and more vulnerable they can finally get the care they deserve.”

The drug, known as Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby in some countries, was developed by Novartis in cooperation with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), a Swiss -based non -profit organization supported by British, Swiss and Dutch governments, as well as the World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Eight African countries also participated in the evaluation and experiences of the drug and are expected to be among the first to achieve it.

MMV, CEO of MMV, says this is another important step on the road to end the huge losses that Malaria has taken.

“Malaria is one of the most bloody diseases in the world, especially among children. But with the correct resources and focus, it can be eliminated.

“Approval of Coartem Baby provides a necessary drug with an improved dose to treat a group of neglected patients otherwise and provides a valuable addition to the anti -malaria tool box.”

This should be seen as a major breakthrough in saving the lives of children and young children.

“Malaria’s death rate, especially in sub -Saharan Africa, is very high – more than 76 % of deaths occur in children under the age of five.

“The increase in the death of malaria increases in children born with sickle cell disease, due primarily to the weakness of the immune system.

“From a public health perspective, novartis who makes this non -profit can help reduce inequality in accessing health care.”