Novartis Wins Approval for First Malaria Treatment for Babies
The Swiss drugmaker said the country's agency Swissmedic approved a new formulation of its drug Coartem to treat infants weighing less than 4.5 kilograms (9.9 pounds), according to a statement Tuesday. The company expects approval from eight countries in Africa to follow.
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Washington Post
41 minutes ago
- Washington Post
The first drug to treat infants sick with malaria is approved by Swiss authority
GENEVA — Switzerland's medical products authority has granted the first approval for a malaria medicine designed for small infants, touted as an advance against a disease that takes hundreds of thousands of lives — nearly all in Africa — each year. Swissmedic gave a green light Tuesday for the medicine from Basel-based pharmaceutical company Novartis for treatment of babies with body weights between 2 and 5 kilograms (nearly 4½ to 11 pounds), which could pave the way for hard-hit African nations to follow suit in coming months.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
UNICEF Battles Deadly Cholera Outbreak In Sudan
UNICEF is working with Sudan's Ministry of Health and other partners to protect children from cholera. More supplies and essential medicines are urgently needed. In Khartoum State, Sudan on June 10, 2025, children hold a certificate showing they have received their oral cholera vaccine, delivered by UNICEF. UNICEF has delivered 7.6 million oral cholera vaccines to Sudan this year alone. Cholera can kill in a matter of hours After more than two years of full-scale armed conflict in Sudan, a raging cholera outbreak is putting already vulnerable children at further risk. Since January 2025, a total of 32,070 suspected cholera cases and 742 deaths have been recorded across 15 states. Of the more than 19,000 cases reported in Khartoum State alone, more than 1,700 were among children under the age of 5. The outbreak has spread to 17 out of 18 states. Malnourished young children are particularly vulnerable For children already weakened by conflict, lack of nutritious food and poor sanitation, diseases like cholera and malaria can be deadly without prompt treatment. Caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the bacterium Vibro cholerae, cholera can cause acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration. Untreated, it can claim the life of a small child within hours. The intestinal disease is entirely preventable with regular handwashing with soap and maintaining separate water and sanitation facilities. It's also easily treatable — when the right supplies are available. "It's a pity to have a patient who is severely ill and we can't do anything for him," says Dr. Ahmed Al-Badri. "He's dying in front of us and we know what to do ... but we didn't have anything. We need a lot of supplies." Read the latest UNICEF Sudan situation report Watch the video: UNICEF is working to save children's lives in SudanUNICEF is supporting immunization and improving water quality UNICEF and partners are working with the Federal Ministry of Health to curb the spread of cholera and save lives by delivering oral cholera vaccines, ensuring access to safe water, activating community awareness drives to educate families on proper hygiene practices and distributing critical supplies including oral rehydration salts to support early care. Since the start of 2025, UNICEF has: Related: UNICEF Protects Children in Sudan as Malaria, Cholera Cases Rise Children and adults suffering from cholera receive treatment in the isolation center at Turkish Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. Between January 2023 and December 2024, the number of cholera cases worldwide more than doubled. More than 1.1 billion people are at risk. UNICEF won't stop helping children in Sudan Sudan remains the world's largest child displacement crisis, with over 5 million children displaced. The ongoing fighting in North Darfur and Kordofan states, combined with continuous displacement and limited access to WASH services and primary health care, are exacerbating the outbreak. Access challenges in conflict-affected areas are further complicating response efforts. Now the rainy season has begun in most cholera-affected states. Heavy rainfall and flooding are known to contribute to the spread of cholera, adding yet another layer of complexity to the current public health emergency. Progress has been made: as of July 2, there has been a general decline in cholera cases in most states in Sudan compared to previous weeks, though cases continue to increase in certain hot spot areas, particularly in states with limited access such as North Darfur, West and South Kordofan states. Despite constraints in funding, UNICEF staff remain on the ground. UNICEF is calling for unimpeded humanitarian access, increased funding and a cessation of hostilities. Learn more about UNICEF's work to support Sudan's children A UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Social Behavioral Change staff member trains a community-based water management committee in Khartoum, to support the provision of chlorine, check the quality of water and ensure access to safe drinking water, following the cholera outbreak. As part of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) interventions, UNICEF and partners are implementing community-based interventions aimed at reducing the spread of cholera across affected communities in Khartoum . Every child has the right to a safe and healthy childhood. By supporting UNICEF with flexible funding, you can ensure increased funding and a more equitable allocation of resources and improve outcomes for some of the world's most vulnerable children. Please donate. Right now, the lives of the most vulnerable children hang in the balance as conflicts and crises jeopardize the care and protection that they deserve. Dependable, uninterrupted and effective foreign aid is critical to the well-being of millions of children. Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support ongoing U.S. investments in foreign assistance. Video edited by Tong Su for UNICEF USA.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sector Update: Health Care Stocks Mixed Thursday Afternoon
Health care stocks were mixed Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index down 0.1% and the Sign in to access your portfolio
