WHO is seeking approval for this new drug from the regulatory authorities of the US, UK and Switzerland, on the basis that the highest level of review will facilitate rapid approval by the national authorities of malaria-affected countries. The widespread distribution and use of these suppositories in Africa is expected to reduce the number of children dying of malaria by at least 100,000 per year. In tropical Africa, young children are at the greatest risk of dying from malaria. One to five out of every 100 young children with severe malaria suffer symptoms that make it impossible for them to take drugs by mouth. The most common of the symptoms are cerebral malaria, coma, recurrent convulsions, malaria with severe respiratory distress, severe malarial anaemia, impaired consciousness, and dehydration.
Severe malaria can be fatal if untreated.
To survive, a child must be given injectable anti-malarial drugs immediately and safely. At present, many African children do not have prompt access to such medical facilities nor to trained health workers . Of those suffering from severe malaria who are referred for treatment only 18 percent reach hospital . Evidence shows that in some parts of rural Africa the remaining 82 percent either die en route to hospital or at home. WHO, other Roll Back Malaria partners and national governments are now working to ensure that this new medicine becomes readily available for children at high risk of malaria.