WHO Approves 1st Malaria Drug Designed for Infants

The World Health Organization has announced the approval of the first malaria treatment specifically developed for infants.

The announcement coincided with World Malaria Day on April 25. The newly approved version of the combination drug Artemether-lumefantrine has been specially formulated for newborns and infants weighing up to 5 kilograms.

This development is expected to help close a major treatment gap affecting around 30 million infants born each year in malaria-endemic regions across Africa. Until now, many of these infants have been treated using doses intended for older children, which can increase the risk of side effects.

The WHO continues to recommend preventive measures, including the use of insecticide-treated bed nets for both infants and adults to reduce exposure to mosquito bites.

According to WHO data, children under the age of five account for approximately 75 percent of malaria-related deaths, highlighting the urgent need for targeted treatments and improved prevention strategies.