First preschool-aged child receives arpraziquantel for schistosomiasis treatment
The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium has announced that the first preschool-aged child has been treated with arpraziquantel, a new pediatric treatment for schistosomiasis, in Uganda. This milestone is part of an implementation research study aimed at making treatments available for all age groups.
Arpraziquantel is a 150mg dispersible tablet, suitable for young children, with a pleasant taste and designed for tropical climates. The medication received a positive scientific opinion from the European Medicines Agency and was added to the WHO’s Prequalified Medicinal Products list in 2024, with inclusion in the WHO’s List of Essential Medicines expected in 2025.
The rollout in Uganda is part of the ADOPT project, which is funded by EDCTP2 and led by the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium. The project aims to identify routine practices for the broader adoption of the new medication in countries where schistosomiasis is endemic. Following Uganda, the treatment will expand to other African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Tanzania, and Senegal.