Novartis receives World Health Organization prequalification for new Coartem dosage

Swiss pharma major Novartis (NOVN: VX) has received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for its Coartem 80/480mg (artemether and lumefantrine).

This makes it the first and only high strength artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) antimalarial treatment available for public sector procurement. The new dosage strength has the potential to improve malaria management. The WHO prequalification now allows for large-scale public sector procurement which would possibly provide access to the treatment to up to 25 million malaria sufferers in Africa.

Joseph Jimenez, chief executive of Novartis, said: "Over the last ten years, Novartis has worked with partners to make Coartem treatments available to patients in the public sector and through donor-funded private sector programs. WHO prequalification of Coartem 80/480mg aligns with the longstanding work of the Novartis Malaria Initiative and confirms the company's status as a leading innovator in malaria treatment."