Coartem Baby: First Malaria Drug for Newborn

Swiss authorities have approved Coartem Baby, the first-ever malaria treatment specifically designed for babies and very young children. 

• In some countries, the product is called Riamet Baby.

• According to 2023 data cited by the BBC, malaria caused around 597,000 deaths, with nearly 75% of those being children under five, most of them in Africa.
• This fills a long-standing treatment gap for infants under 4.5 kg, a group previously without safe, approved malaria therapies.

About the Coartem Baby Drug

• Developed by Novartis in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).
• Child-Friendly Formulation: Designed to dissolve easily, even in breast milk.
  • Has a sweet cherry flavour to ease administration for infants.
• Coartem Baby contains artemether-lumefantrine, the global standard antimalarial since 1999.
• Lower dosing ratio of artemether-lumefantrine is tailored for immature liver function in newborns (2–5 kg range).
• Eliminates the need for crushed pills or makeshift dosing, ensuring cleaner, safer delivery and better compliance.

Why does it matter ? 

• Until now, there were no approved malaria drugs for babies under 4.5 kg.
• Infants were previously treated with formulations meant for older children, which posed risks of overdose and toxicity.
• Coartem Baby provides a safe, tailored dosage that accounts for newborn metabolism and weight.

Backed by Clinical Trials

• Proven in Phase II/III trials across African nations including Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Zambia, and DRC.
• Trials confirmed safety and efficacy for infants under 5 kg, factoring in their unique pharmacokinetics.

Indian Initiatives to Control Malaria

• National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016–2030): Aligns with WHO’s Global Strategy; aims for zero indigenous malaria cases in India by 2030, with an internal target of elimination by 2027.
• National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2017–2022): Shifted focus from control to elimination, targeting malaria elimination in 571 of 678 districts by 2022.
• Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India): ICMR-led initiative bringing together stakeholders to promote research and coordinated efforts in malaria elimination.
• High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) Initiative: Launched in 2019 across four high-burden states to intensify interventions, including LLIN distribution, leading to significant reduction in malaria cases.
• National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP): Flagship programme for integrated prevention and control of malaria and other vector-borne diseases like JE, dengue, and kala-azar.

DOWNLOAD PDF