24 People To Participate In Local Covid-19 Clinical Trial.
By Damba Rogers
The Director of Research at Natural Chemotherapeutic Research Institute Dr. Grace Nambatya reveals that a minimum of 24 people will be used in the coming clinical trial of the Uganda medicine to be used to treat covid-19.
Dr.Nambatya says, the only local product under serious clinical scrutiny by the national drug authority, national council of science and technology among other science bodies in the country will be allowed on the market after proven to be effective, this can only be proved if the product passes all the clinical trials.
She continues to state that the clinical trials starting very soon will be completed three months from now.
Currently, the country has not certified any locally made covid19 medication for use as it has been running on various social media platforms.
Meanwhile, a report released today by Twaweza and the ministry of health on community prescription remedies and self-medication to combat covid19 among residents of Kampala indicates a 30% increase in self-medication and use of herbals to treat covid19 from 17% something health experts are worried about.
Reading the phone-based survey carried out between July to August 2020 and December to January 2021 among Kampala residents, Marie Nanyanzi from Twaweza attributed the increase to the ease at which people can get herbal medicines.
The report further indicates that 3-5% of people in Kampala self-medicate, 12-6% steam, 22% self-quarantine, and 72% visit a health facility for treatment.
Dr grace Nambatya cautions Ugandans against self-medication and the use of herbal remedies saying they pause a serious health threat to their lives.
She further expressed worries that after covid19 is done, Ugandans might start developing other serious health complications like, nerve depression, cardiac, liver, problems, diabetes among others which are hard to treat.
Meanwhile, Pamela Achili the president pharmaceutical society of Uganda, and Bryan Ssekayombia from NDA advise people to always seek expert advice and guidance if they find out that they are positive with covid19 than resorting to community medical prescriptions.
Residents of Kampala and other Ugandans have been stocking and using herbal remedies to treat covid-19 as prescribed by friends which are said to be dangerous.
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