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 novel 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 prequalification designation, as stated by the WHO, confirms that the medicine meets international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. Artemether-lumefantrine is the first antimalarial product formulated explicitly for the youngest victims of the mosquito-borne disease. Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that carried a higher risk of dosage errors, adverse side effects, and toxicity. The broader epidemiological context underscores the significance of this development. 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 fatalities, with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths. The WHO noted that progress against malaria is impeded by drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failures, and sharp reductions in foreign aid spending. The prequalification approval is expected to facilitate public sector procurement and help address a longstanding treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born annually in malaria-endemic regions of Africa. Globally, 70 percent of countries lack regulatory systems robust enough to oversee medicines, vaccines, tests, and medical devices. The WHO prequalification program ensures that key health products for international procurement adhere to global benchmarks for quality, safety, efficacy, and performance. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commented on the milestone, noting that malaria has historically caused significant 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 contributing to a shift in the trajectory of the disease. He further asserted that ending malaria within the current generation is a realistic objective, contingent upon sustained political and financial commitment.

Conclusion

This prequalification approval represents a targeted intervention to reduce the risk of malaria-related morbidity and mortality among the most vulnerable demographic. While the measure addresses a critical treatment gap, the WHO emphasizes that continued investment and systemic improvements are necessary to sustain progress toward malaria elimination.

Vocabulary Learning

formulation (n.)
A specific mixture or preparation, especially of a drug配方；製劑
Example:The novel antimalarial formulation is designed for infants.
impede (v.)
To delay or block the progress of something阻礙；妨礙
Example:Progress against malaria is impeded by drug resistance.
morbidity (n.)
The state of being diseased; the incidence of illness in a population發病率
Example:The intervention aims to reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality.
prequalification (n.)
The process of evaluating and approving a product as meeting specified standards before it can be procured預先資格認證
Example:The WHO granted prequalification approval to the antimalarial formulation.
procurement (n.)
The acquisition of goods or services, especially for an organization採購；取得
Example:The approval is expected to facilitate public sector procurement.

Sentence Learning

Artemether-lumefantrine is the first antimalarial product formulated explicitly for the youngest victims of the mosquito-borne disease.
Reduced Relative Clause: The past participle phrase 'formulated explicitly for the youngest victims' acts as a reduced relative clause modifying 'product', omitting 'which was'. This compresses information and adds conciseness.縮減關係從句：過去分詞短語「formulated explicitly for the youngest victims」作為縮減關係從句修飾「product」，省略了「which was」。這壓縮了信息，使句子更簡潔。
Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that carried a higher risk of dosage errors, adverse side effects, and toxicity.
Appositive with Non-restrictive Relative Clause: The noun phrase 'a practice that carried a higher risk...' is an appositive that renames the preceding clause, and the relative clause 'that carried...' provides additional non-restrictive information. Also includes a reduced relative 'intended for older children'.同位語及非限制性關係從句：名詞短語「a practice that carried a higher risk...」是同位語，對前一分句進行補充說明；關係從句「that carried...」提供非限制性附加信息。句中亦包含縮減關係從句「intended for older children」。
Africa accounts for 95 percent of both cases and fatalities, with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths.
Absolute Construction: The phrase 'with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths' is an absolute construction using 'with + noun + present participle', providing a subordinate circumstance that adds detail without a finite verb.獨立主格結構：短語「with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths」是獨立主格結構，採用「with + 名詞 + 現在分詞」形式，以非限定動詞形式提供附屬情況，增添細節。
The prequalification approval is expected to facilitate public sector procurement and help address a longstanding treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born annually in malaria-endemic regions of Africa.
Passive Infinitive and Reduced Relative Clause: The passive infinitive 'is expected to facilitate' indicates an anticipated action. The past participle 'born annually' is a reduced relative clause modifying 'infants', omitting 'who are'. The sentence also features a complex noun phrase with numbers and geographical specification.被動不定式及縮減關係從句：被動不定式「is expected to facilitate」表示預期動作。過去分詞「born annually」是縮減關係從句，修飾「infants」，省略了「who are」。句子還包含帶有數字和地理說明的複雜名詞短語。
He further asserted that ending malaria within the current generation is a realistic objective, contingent upon sustained political and financial commitment.
Gerund Subject and Adjective Phrase: The gerund phrase 'ending malaria within the current generation' functions as the subject of the embedded clause. The adjective phrase 'contingent upon sustained political and financial commitment' postmodifies 'objective', adding a condition.動名詞主語及形容詞短語：動名詞短語「ending malaria within the current generation」充當嵌入從句的主語。形容詞短語「contingent upon sustained political and financial commitment」後置修飾「objective」，增加條件限制。