First malaria drug for babies is approved in ‘major public health milestone’

The first malaria treatment for babies has been approved by the World Health Organization , opening the door to widespread use around the globe. In parts of Africa, up to 18% of children under six months will be infected with malaria, but there has historically been no safe treatment for the smallest of them. There were 610,000 deaths from malaria in 2024, about three quarters of which were under-fives in Africa. The WHO said infants with malaria had until now been treated with formulations designed for older children “which increase the risk of dosing errors, side effects and toxicity”. Medical leaders hope that Coartem Baby, which can be used to treat infants as small as 2kg (4.4lb), will fill the treatment gap . The drug comes as sweet cherry-flavoured tablets that can be dissolved into liquids, including breast milk. “For centuries, malaria has stolen children from their parents, and health, wealth and hope from communities,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director general. “But today, the story is changing.” Coartem Baby now has WHO prequalification , which indicates it meets international standards of quality, safety and efficacy, and will enable public-sector procurement for many countries with high rates of malaria, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Ghebreyesus said new vaccines and diagnostic tests, alongside next-generation mosquito nets, were helping to turn the tide against the mosquito-borne disease. …