Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC)

This is an active Deep Dive and we welcome your contributions! If you are currently involved or planning research activities on Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) please contact MESA (mesa@isglobal.org) or add your project to the database.

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In 2019 MESA compiled a landscape of ongoing research on Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) to facilitate discussions at the WHO technical consultation that reviewed the role of medicines for malaria prevention in endemic countries (ref). The technical consultation identified the need to develop broader and more flexible guidance to enable adaptation according to the needs of different countries and settings.

In June 2022, WHO updated its recommendations for malaria chemoprevention among children and pregnant women which supported the broader use of chemoprevention among  children and pregnant women (ref). This preventive chemotherapy included perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC – previously known as intermittent preventive treatment in infants or IPTi), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC)  and intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy. The 2022 WHO updated recommendations on SMC, veered to a more adaptable modality without any geographical and age restrictions.

This Deep Dive was created in collaboration with the Malaria Consortium to describe the landscape of SMC research and investments. It aims to help bring forth the research gaps and areas receiving investments to aid in setting research priorities regarding SMC. We hope it will be beneficial in identifying existing research gaps.