WHO Grants First Prequalification Approval for Infant-Specific Malaria Treatment

Apr 25, 2026, 02:15

Introduction

The World Health Organization has granted prequalification approval to a new antimalarial formulation designed specifically for newborns and infants, marking a first in the agency's history. The decision, announced on April 24, applies to the drug artemether-lumefantrine.

Main Body

The WHO stated that the prequalification status confirms the medicine meets international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. Artemether-lumefantrine is the first antimalarial product made specifically for the youngest patients of the mosquito-borne disease. Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that had a higher risk of dosage errors, side effects, and toxicity. The importance of this development is clear from the global situation. According to WHO data from 2024, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths across 80 countries. Africa accounts for 95 percent of both cases and deaths, with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths. The WHO noted that progress against malaria is hindered by drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failures, and large cuts in foreign aid spending. The prequalification approval is expected to help public sector purchases and address a long-term treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born each year in malaria-endemic regions of Africa. Furthermore, globally, 70 percent of countries lack strong regulatory systems to oversee medicines, vaccines, tests, and medical devices. The WHO prequalification program ensures that key health products for international procurement meet global standards for quality, safety, efficacy, and performance. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke about this milestone. He noted that malaria has historically caused a lot of harm to children and communities. He stated that new vaccines, diagnostic tests, next-generation mosquito nets, and effective medicines—including those adapted for the youngest—are helping to change the direction of the disease. He further asserted that ending malaria within the current generation is a realistic goal, but it depends on continued political and financial commitment.

Conclusion

This prequalification approval is a specific action to reduce the risk of illness and death from malaria among the most vulnerable group. While the measure addresses an important lack of treatment, the WHO emphasizes that continued investment and improvements to the system are necessary to keep making progress toward eliminating malaria.

Vocabulary Learning

efficacy (n.)
the ability to produce a desired or intended result功效；效力
Example:The prequalification status confirms the medicine meets international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.
endemic (adj.)
regularly found in a particular area or group of people地方性的；流行的
Example:The prequalification approval is expected to address a long-term treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born each year in malaria-endemic regions of Africa.
hindered (v.)
made difficult or slowed down the progress of something阻礙；妨礙
Example:The WHO noted that progress against malaria is hindered by drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failures, and large cuts in foreign aid spending.
prequalification (n.)
official approval that a product meets required standards before being considered for procurement預先資格認證
Example:The WHO granted prequalification approval to a new antimalarial formulation designed specifically for newborns and infants.
toxicity (n.)
the degree to which a substance can harm living organisms毒性
Example:Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that had a higher risk of dosage errors, side effects, and toxicity.

Sentence Learning

Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that had a higher risk of dosage errors, side effects, and toxicity.
Relative Clause This sentence uses a relative clause ('that had...') to provide additional information about the noun 'practice'. The past participle 'intended' acts as an adjective to describe the treatments. This structure helps combine two ideas into one sentence, making the writing more concise and logical.關係從句 這個句子使用了關係從句（'that had...'）來為名詞 'practice' 提供額外信息。過去分詞 'intended' 作為形容詞修飾 'treatments'。這種結構有助於將兩個想法合併到一個句子中，使寫作更簡潔、更有邏輯。
The WHO noted that progress against malaria is hindered by drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failures, and large cuts in foreign aid spending.
Passive Voice The passive voice ('is hindered by') emphasizes the progress itself rather than who or what is hindering it. This is common in formal reporting to focus on the result or the affected entity. The agent (the causes) is introduced with 'by'.被動語態 被動語態（'is hindered by'）強調的是進展本身，而不是誰或什麼在阻礙它。這在正式報導中很常見，用來聚焦結果或受影響的實體。施動者（原因）通過 'by' 引入。
While the measure addresses an important lack of treatment, the WHO emphasizes that continued investment and improvements to the system are necessary to keep making progress toward eliminating malaria.
Linking Word: While 'While' introduces a concessive clause, contrasting the positive action (addresses a lack) with the ongoing need (continued investment). It helps organize contrasting ideas in a single sentence, making the argument more nuanced.連接詞：While 'While' 引導一個讓步從句，對比正面行動（解決治療缺口）與持續需求（繼續投資）。它有助於在一個句子中組織對比觀點，使論證更細緻。
The prequalification approval is expected to help public sector purchases and address a long-term treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born each year in malaria-endemic regions of Africa.
Passive Voice The passive construction 'is expected' shifts focus to the approval itself, not who expects it. The past participle 'born' acts as a reduced relative clause ('who are born'). This structure is efficient for describing characteristics and anticipated outcomes.被動語態 被動結構 'is expected' 將焦點轉移到批准本身，而不是誰在期望。過去分詞 'born' 作為簡化關係從句（'who are born'）。這種結構能高效地描述特徵和預期結果。
Furthermore, globally, 70 percent of countries lack strong regulatory systems to oversee medicines, vaccines, tests, and medical devices.
Linking Word: Furthermore 'Furthermore' is a linking adverb that adds a new point to support the previous argument. It signals to the reader that additional evidence or context is coming, improving the flow and logical progression of ideas.連接詞：Furthermore 'Furthermore' 是一個連接副詞，用來添加新觀點以支持之前的論點。它向讀者表明接下來會有額外的證據或背景，從而改善思路的流暢性和邏輯推進。