Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/first-approved-treatment-infants-weighi...
Many thanks Edem for pointing us to this news.
From the perspective of the global evidence ecosystem, it is encouraging that Novartis and partners have been able to secure such a breakthrough. Development of new antimicrobials is under threat (especially, unfortunately, where the majority of potential beneficiaries are in LICs) because they are typically seen as less profitable than, for example, new drugs for chronic conditions. What can we learn from this success that could be applied to future development of other antimicrobials?
I was unable to see anything about plans to support member states and individual healthcare professionals. When I search for "guidance on Coartem® Baby (artemether-lumefantrine)" I am taken to Novartis guidance for larger/older children (5 kg to less than 15 kg bodyweight). What are the next steps in terms of preparing health systems for this? Would this be a role for WHO to fast-track new guidance that could be used/adapted by member states?
Also, how will use of the new regimen be monitored for safety and effectiveness in young infants?
Whenever a new discovery is made, or a new drug regimen is approved, there is always a lag time for its wide uptake in practice. Do we have an assessment of barriers to use of the new regimen and how these can be reduced?
Best wishes, Neil
CHIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based non-profit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org