WHO Approves Child-Friendly Primaquine in Landmark Malaria Elimination Breakthrough
Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved the first-ever paediatric primaquine tablets—an innovation experts describe as a transformative step in global malaria elimination.
Developed by MMV and Fosun Pharma with Unitaid support, the new dispersible 2.5 mg and 5 mg formulations target relapse-causing Plasmodium vivax parasites.
CEO of MMV, Dr Martin Fitchet, says the approval “means national programmes can now treat children more effectively, helping to break the cycle of relapse and transmission.”
For six decades, primaquine lacked a quality-assured formulation suitable for children, leaving millions vulnerable to recurrent malaria. The new flavour-masked tablets meet WHO’s safety, quality and efficacy standards and are expected to enter national treatment guidelines.
Unitaid Director Dr Philippe Duneton stresses urgency: “Children are disproportionately affected by malaria. Without putting children at the centre of the response, we can’t beat malaria.”
With children under five accounting for over 74% of global malaria deaths, WHO prequalification opens access to procurement by major donors including the Global Fund. The medicine targets dormant liver-stage parasites that cause repeated illness, anemia and missed school days.
Global health experts say the approval marks one of the most significant interventions in malaria elimination in decades.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Juliet Jacob 