New Malaria Treatment for Babies is Approved
A new type of treatment for babies, produced by Novartis, has been approved by Swissmedical and will be coming out in a few weeks in Africa for the very first time!
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease and is caused by Anopheles, a type of infected mosquito or parasite, which is mostly nocturnal. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) most recent figures, there were around 263 million cases of malaria in the world in 2023. But most cases happen in Africa (94% in 2023), says the BBC. But the disease is more harmful in younger children because their immune systems are still growing, making them more vulnerable to infections and less able to control parasite multiplication. Usually, when babies get malaria, they are already suffering from another infection or disease in that area. Two or more diseases can be fatal.
Before, there was already treatment that existed for older kids and up. Babies couldn’t take the treatment because their stomachs and livers didn’t act the same way. In a lot of ways, infants are more vulnerable to malaria so more of them die.
A vaccine for malaria was suggested by the WHO in October 2021 and has helped reduce the number of deaths from the disease and saved lives.
Novartis announced that Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine), the medicine, has been approved by Swissmedical on July 8th. It is also known as Riamet in some countries like Switzerland. They developed it together with Medicines for Malaria Venture or (MMV) to treat the potentially deadly disease. “ For more than three decades, we have stayed the course in the fight against malaria, working relentlessly to deliver scientific breakthroughs where they are needed the most,” says the CEO of Novartis, Nas Narasimhan. Dr. Martin Fitchet, the CEO of MMV, says that with the right resources and focus, it can be eliminated.
Novartis, the famous company, will introduce the treatment without earning any money or profit , Eso everyone can access it. It focuses on global access and isn’t profit-driven, which makes the company have a good reputation and will attract a lot of partner companies. Later on, when people have enough money, Novartis can put higher prices and earn money. This way, the poor and areas where malaria is an epidemic can afford priceless treatment for the young kids. Chief executive, Vas, says, “The smallest and most vulnerable can finally receive the care they deserve.” And he’s correct. Thanks to Novartis, young infants and newborns will be saved. Just think about when one of them will make an amazing discovery and you’ll know.