- Switzerland's medical products authority, Swissmedic, has granted the first approval for a malaria medicine specifically designed for infants weighing between 2 and 5kg.
- The newly approved medication, developed by Novartis, is a lower-dose version of a tablet previously approved for older age groups.
- Swissmedic's decision is significant as it marks only the third time the agency has used a fast-track authorisation process, in coordination with the World Health Organization, to help developing countries access needed treatment.
- This development is crucial given that malaria remains the deadliest disease in Africa, accounting for 95 per cent of global deaths from the disease in 2023, with children account for over three-quarters of those deaths.
- While welcomed, experts highlight the importance of transparency regarding Novartis's planned “largely not-for-profit” rollout, including pricing and distribution strategies, especially as malaria cases continue to rise and drug resistance grows.
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