Ghana has cemented its status as a leader in African public health by becoming the first malaria-endemic nation to launch a dedicated treatment for newborns and young infants, closing a dangerous and long-standing gap in care. The treatment, Coartem® Baby, was officially launched in Accra during October following its approval by Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority in February 2025.
Developed through a partnership between global pharmaceutical leader Novartis and the non-profit Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), this formulation is the first of its kind specifically designed for infants weighing as little as two kilograms. Until now, healthcare workers faced an impossible choice: crudely split tablets meant for older children—risking dangerous underdosing or toxic overdose—or watch the most vulnerable patients go without adequate treatment.
“Ghana’s leadership in approving Coartem Baby represents a powerful step toward protecting the most vulnerable, this provides a necessary medicine with an optimized dose for an otherwise neglected group.” stated Dr. Martin Fitchet, CEO of MMV.
The innovation addresses a critical need. Malaria claims nearly 600,000 lives annually worldwide, with children under five accounting for almost three-quarters of those deaths. The new dispersible tablet uses a carefully adjusted ratio of artemether-lumefantrine, accounting for the unique metabolism of small babies, to treat acute, uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
Ghana’s approval paves the way for rapid registration across the continent. Eight other African nations—Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda—participated in a collaborative Swissmedic review. These countries, which accounted for 47% of global malaria cases in 2023, are expected to approve the medicine within 90 days through the Marketing Authorization for Global Health Products procedure.
Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan emphasized the company’s long-term commitment, noting over three decades of work against malaria. The company has pledged to supply Coartem Baby on a not-for-profit basis in endemic regions, building on the legacy of its older paediatric treatment, of which over 500 million doses have been distributed since 2009.
The launch coincides with broader malaria control efforts, including vaccine rollouts and seasonal preventive drug campaigns. While new vaccines reduce infection risk, they are not foolproof. Coartem Baby is positioned as an essential safety net, treating breakthrough infections in the youngest patients and offering a complete toolset—from prevention to cure—for the first time.
Source: News Ghana.
