WHO and Novartis join forces to combat malaria

WHO and Swiss pharmaceutical company, Novartis have joined forces to combat drug resistant strains of malaria in developing countries. A WHO statement issued on Wednesday said that Novartis would supply the new therapy, called Coartem, to WHO for use in developing countries at about 10 cents a tablet, amounting to less than US $2.50 per full treatment for adults and “considerably less for children”.

“These kinds of private-public partnerships are key to the fight against diseases of poverty,” said Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director General of WHO. “The resources, know-how and technologies are there, we just need to put them at the disposal of the poorest.”

The statement said that as part of the agreement, WHO would appoint a group of experts to review requests for supplies and distribute the drug through governments of malaria endemic countries and non-governmental organisations. “WHO and Novartis also plan to collaborate in research to improve treatment regimes in African countries. Specially designed packs of Coartem have been developed to facilitate proper use by children and people who cannot read.”

According to WHO, more than 90 percent of all malaria cases are in sub-Saharan Africa, with the disease continuing to account for at least 20 percent of under-five mortality rates. Malaria accounts for 30 to 50 percent of inpatient admission, incurs 40 percent of public health expenditures and up to 50 percent of outpatient visits in malaria endemic countries.