Novartis Coartem

Coartem is the first World Health Organization-prequalified fixed-dose, artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) antimalarial, approved by stringent regulatory authorities and on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. Coartem is fast-acting and cures over 97% of patients after a 3-day treatment course. Coartem combines artemether, a derivative of artemisinin (from the Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua), with a synthetic substance, lumefantrine, which has not been used as a monotherapy. Since 2001, Novartis has provided more than 300 million treatment courses of Coartem - without profit - for public sector use in Africa. These treatments have helped save an estimated 750,000 lives in more than 60 malaria-endemic countries. In early 2009, Novartis and Medicines for Malaria Venture introduced Coartem Dispersible, the first artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) developed especially for children with malaria, to address specific treatment needs of millions of children with malaria. Coartem Dispersible contains the same amounts of artemether and lumefantrine as Coartem tablets (20mg/120mg) and delivers the same high cure rates. Prior to this innovative pediatric medicine, health workers and parents had to crush bitter-tasting antimalarial tablets for children to swallow. New, sweet-tasting Coartem Dispersible tablets dissolve quickly in small amounts of water, easing administration and ensuring effective dosing for children. Six million treatments of Coartem Dispersible were delivered in 2009. To date, Coartem Dispersible has been approved in 26 African countries as well as Brazil and Switzerland. Coartem Dispersible received the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Project of the Year Award in 2008. Further, the Coartem Dispersible packaging won the 2009 Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council Award. The pack was recognized for aiding patient compliance, thanks to clear separation per body weight, the availability of one full treatment course on the same blister and clear pictorial instructions. Education being a key factor in malaria control, the Coartem program includes training materials and courses for healthcare workers and mothers/caregivers - translated into several African languages and distributed free of charge. Twice a year, Novartis also brings together the managers of national malaria control program across Africa to share best practice in community awareness, healthcare worker training, stock management and distribution, and health impact measurement.