Nigeria is among eight African countries involved in the clinical trial of the world’s first malaria treatment for newborns. The infant-friendly artemether-lumefantrine drug was tested in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The formulation, designed for babies weighing less than five kilogrammes, dissolves in breast milk and has a sweet flavour. Though Swiss regulators have already cleared the medicine, Nigeria and the other participating countries are expected to fast-track approvals under international health procedures.
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Jean Kaseya, the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, described the development as a major step forward in the fight against malaria. His principal advisor, Ngashi Ngongo, said the trial showed Africa’s capacity to drive innovation through collaboration, noting Nigeria’s role is key to success.
The drug, developed by Novartis with Medicines for Malaria Venture under the PAMAfrica consortium, is expected to improve access to safe treatment in rural and underserved areas.
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