PharmaTimes

Jun12020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

States to Play Major Roles in Phase 2 of Easing Lockdown-FG

In what appears to be a major focus of containment of COVID-19 in the second phase of easing lockdown expected to be announced today, the Federal Government has indicated that it is desirous to hand over the battle to states and communities. Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said on Sunday that the Federal Government will henceforth only provide supervision and coordination. Mustapha, who is also the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), spoke at the State House Abuja after members of the PTF briefed President Muhammadu Buhari and discussed their recommendations on the next phase of the battle. With him at the briefing were Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire; National Coordinator of the PTF Dr. Sani Aliyu; Director-...

May292020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

US based Nigerian Researchers Pioneer Study on COVID-19

Coronavirus, NEWS

Two Nigerian doctoral candidates at the Michigan Technological University in the United States have launched a major pioneering research into the novel coronavirus pandemic. Mujeeb Shittu and his colleague, Femi Afolami, both PhD candidates in Biochemistry and Biological Science respectively co-authored this research .In their article, they explained how COVID-19 can be treated with the combination of hydroxychloquine and zinc supplement. The putative mechanism by which zinc can improve the activity of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine (HCQ/CQ) in the management of Covid-19 was stated. Explaining the implications of the research, Shittu said “Zinc is referred to as an essential trace element because it is required in small amount for human health, since our bodies does not st

May292020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Covid-19: NIPRD, Bloom Collaborate On Research, Development

Coronavirus, NEWS

The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), says it is partnering Bloom Public Health to facilitate the home grown solutions to solving the COVID-19 epidemic in the country. NIPRD said in a statement that the partnership will further strengthen its capacity on research and development of pharmaceuticals to ensure the availability of quality medicines to all Nigeria during and post covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, it said that Bloom will serve as NIPRD’s technical partner for accessing and implementing donor funded initiatives to enhance NIPRD’s impact in Nigeria. The CEO, Bloom Public Health, Professor Chimezie Anyakora speaking on the development said, “Covid19 pandemic amplifies the urgent need to strengthen the Nigerian Pharmaceutical sector and N

May292020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

WHO Urges Caution as African Countries Ease Lockdowns

Coronavirus, NEWS

Three months after the first case of COVID-19 was detected in sub-Saharan Africa, the region has made progress in tackling the virus. Many countries implemented lockdowns and key public health measures early, and these appeared to have helped slow down the spread of the disease. However, there are concerns that if these measures are relaxed too quickly, COVID-19 cases could start increasing rapidly. Thirteen countries in sub-Saharan Africa implemented lockdowns along with other public health and social measures nation-wide, while 10 more instigated partial lock-downs in hot-spots. Preliminary analysis by the World Health Organization found that the doubling time – the number of days for case numbers to double in a given country – increased during the lock-down period in m

May282020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

COVID-19: Do Not Cut Health Spending during Downturn, WHO warns EU

Coronavirus, NEWS

European governments should not cut healthcare spending during the current economic crisis sparked by the coronavirus pandemic and associated lock downs, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Thursday. “We are concerned that countries will respond to this crisis in the same way they did to the recession 10 years ago… by cutting public spending on health,” WHO regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, told a press conference. “Those cuts prevented many people from accessing the healthcare that they needed.” According to WHO Europe, public spending on healthcare per capita fell in about half of European countries between 2008 and 2013. Healthcare needs that could not be met increased in 19 of 28 EU countries, with three million more people affected in 2013 than in 2008, the

May282020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

NCDC Confirms COVID-19 Patients no Longer Infectious after 11 days

Coronavirus, Latest Health News, NEWS

The Director General of Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu has confirmed the longest viability period of the Corona-virus in patients is 10 days, as recently reported from a new study by infectious diseases experts in Singapore. Ihekweazu, disclosed this at the Presidential Task Force media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja while responding to questions. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Singapore study shows that COVID-19 patients are no longer infectious after 11 days of getting sick even though some may still test positive. “A positive test does not equate to infectiousness or viable virus,” a joint research paper by Singapore’s National Center for Infectious Diseases and the Academy of Medicine Singapore said. The virus “could not be isolat

May272020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

COVID-19 Cure: FG Approves Three Local Remedies for Further Studies

Coronavirus, NEWS

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) Wednesday in Abuja said that three out of numerous claims of local COVID-19 cure have been deemed worthy of further evaluation and the claims have already been forwarded to relevant agencies for further studies. Minister of state for Health, Dr Olorunimbe Mamora who made the revelation during the daily briefing of PTF disclosed that a meeting involving scientists, herbalists, and relevant government agencies were held last week to appraise the journey so far in the quest to get local solution to the deadly virus. Mamora said that the meeting was well attended by stakeholders even as he pointed out that issue of confidentiality agreement between researchers and herbalists came up in the course of the meeting and was amicably resolved...

May272020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

France Bans use of Hydroxychloroquine for Coronavirus Treatment

Coronavirus, Health Issues, Latest Health News, NEWS

The French Government Wednesday banned the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the country with Hydroxychloroquine. The ban came on the heels of the World Health Organization (WHO) suspension of its planned solidarity trial with the malaria drug across the world. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus director general of WHO had earlier said that "hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are accepted as generally safe for use in patients with autoimmune diseases or malaria" while announcing a "temporary pause" on the use of the drug. However, some nations including Brazil said it would not change its recommendation to treat COVID-19 infection with regard to hydroxychloroquine despite the WHO's directive. US President Donald Trump has touted hydroxychloroquine as a wonder drug to treat patients as

May272020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Don’t Let Patent Rows Hamper Search for Virus Vaccine: UN Agency

Around The World, Coronavirus, NEWS

The United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has hailed the push to create a corona-virus vaccine and make it globally available, but warned against allowing copyright rows to overshadow and delay the process "What we need in the first place here is innovation," Francis Gurry, the head of the agency, told reporters in a virtual briefing. World Health Organization (WHO) member states last week adopted a resolution recognizing that extensive immunization against COVID-19 would be a "global public good", and pushing for any vaccine to be equitably and fairly distributed to all. According to Associated Press some member countries of the WHO, including South Africa, are calling for any vaccine against the novel corona-virus to be patent-free. But that idea has ...

May272020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Complications of Malaria

Health & Life, NEWS

Malaria can be a very serious illness and potentially fatal. The P. Falciparum parasite causes the most severe malaria symptoms and the most deaths. Symptoms can develop as quickly as eight days after being bitten. However, in some cases the parasites can stay inactive in the body and symptoms may not develop for up to a year. The destruction of red blood cells by the malaria parasite can cause severe anaemia. This is a condition where the red blood cells are unable to carry enough oxygen, which leaves you feeling drowsy, weak and faint. In some rare cases of malaria, the infected red blood cells can block the small blood vessels leading to the brain, stopping blood flow and leading to a shortage of oxygen. This is known as cerebral malaria. Cerebral malaria can cause your ...

May262020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

NAFDAC Vows to Continue Clinical Trial of Hydroxychloroquine

Coronavirus, NEWS

Barely 24 hours after World Health Organization (WHO) announced suspension of Hydroxychloroquine in a planned solidarity trial across the world, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has vowed to continue with the clinical trial of the anti-Malarial as scheduled. Speaking on a live TV interview on Tuesday, director general of NAFDAC Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye was quoted by Punch as saying that the study, which started a few days ago, will continue in order to confirm how the Black population reacts to the drug. “I do not know the data they (WHO) are looking at. Whether it is from the Caucasian population or from the African population. “I know that the clinical trial started a few days in Lagos and I know that when you do clinical trial, there are

May262020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

WHO Predicts ‘silent’ Corona virus epidemic in Africa

Health & Life, Latest Health News, NEWS

Unless African leaders urgently prioritize testing for COVID-19, the continent risks being caught unawares by ‘’silent epidemic’’ the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned. “My first point for Africa, my first concern, is that a lack of testing is leading to a silent epidemic in Africa. So we must continue to push leaders to prioritize testing,” special envoy Samba Sow told a news conference Monday. The WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, according to Reuters report said Africa was the region with the fewest diagnosed coronavirus cases, accounting for less than 1.5% of the global total and just 0.1% of deaths. The WHO regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, said some countries had taken measures to curb the disease at a high economic cost. Those measur

May262020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Chronic Pain

NEWS

Chronic pain is pain that lasts for at least 12 weeks; it is a serious health condition. And like any long-term health problem, the condition often leads to complications beyond your physical symptoms, such as new or worsened depression, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Chronic pain can make it more difficult to keep up at work, manage tasks at home and attend social gatherings, leading to problems in your relationships and financial instability. Some research suggests that the more severe your pain, the more serious these problems. Chronic pain can limit your quality of life and lead to serious health problems. Finding effective treatment is important — as its balancing pain relief with your safety. Experts say Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are most effective for mi

May262020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Urinary Tract Infection

Health & Life, Health Issues, NEWS

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to the kidneys. Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include: · A strong, persistent urge to urinate · A burning sensation when urinating · Passing frequent, small amounts of urine · Urine that appears cloudy · Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine · Strong-smelling urine · Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of th

May262020 by PharmaTimesNo Comments

Dangers of Being Hypertensive

Health & Life, NEWS

The signs of hypertension are rarely noticeable; many people won’t realize they have it until actual manifestation. According to experts, symptoms they say can include a severe headache, fatigue or confusion, vision problems, chest pain, difficulty breathing, an irregular heartbeat, blood in the urine, and a pounding in your chest, neck, or ears and if these symptoms are ignored, complications can arise. The higher your blood pressure, the harder your heart has to work to pump blood round your body. This puts strain on blood vessels and can enlarge your heart, make blood vessels clog, burst or leak, and cause damage to your major organs. High blood pressure, left untreated, can put you at increased risk of cardiovascular disease such as kidney disease, gout (a form of arthritis), ang