The World Health Organisation’s first malaria drug formulated for newborns will help prevent overdose but is unlikely to reduce malaria deaths in Nigeria, a public health physician, Ifeoluwa Odedina, says.

Mr Odedina, from the University College Hospital, Ibadan, made the assertion in an interview on Thursday in Ibadan.

The WHO recently announced the prequalification of the first malaria treatment developed specifically for newborns and young infants weighing between two and five kilograms, marking a significant milestone globally.

Coartem Baby, approved by WHO, is the first antimalarial designed for infants weighing two to five kilograms. Until now, doctors treated such babies by crushing and dividing tablets made for older children.

The public health physician restated that the drug was essentially a new formulation of an existing drug for newborns and smaller infants.

He stressed that “it is not a new drug per se”.

Mr Odedina added that he had not seen harm from crushed tablets in his practice.

According to him, malaria in newborns and small infants below five kilogrammes is treated by dividing tablets of existing malaria drugs in half, crushing them into powder, mixing with water and administering to the child.

“I have not seen any harm from using crushed tablets in my own experience,” he said.

Nigeria accounts for 27 per cent of global malaria deaths, according to the WHO. About 30 million babies are born yearly in malaria-endemic areas of Africa, with no previously approved treatment option.

Novartis, which developed the drug with the Medicines for Malaria Venture, said distribution will be “largely not-for-profit”.

To ensure the drug reaches poor and rural populations, Mr Odedina said the government must improve facility-level reporting and monitor distribution.

He added that there should be regular visits to primary health centres to ensure the allocated stock is delivered. He also recommended labelling packs “not for sale” and providing a hotline to report illegal sales to prevent diversion to private markets.

(NAN)