Browsing by Author "Khuluza, Felix"

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    Rapid Assessment of the Potential Paucity and Price Increases for Suggested Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 Across Developing Countries With a Particular Focus on Africa and the Implications
    (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2021) Sefah, Israel A.; Ogunleye, Olayinka O.; Essah, Darius O.; Opanga, Sylvia A.; Butt, Nadia; Wamaitha, Annie; Guantai, Anastasia N.; Chikowe, Ibrahim; Khuluza, Felix; Kibuule, Dan; Nambahu, Lahya; Abubakar, Abdullahi R.; Sani, Ibrahim H.; Saleem, Zikria; Kalungia, Aubrey C.; Phuong, Thuy N. T.; Haque, Mainul; Islam, Salequl; Kumar, Santosh; Sneddon, Jacqueline; Wamboga, Joshua; Wale, Janney; Miljković, Nenad; Kurdi, Amanj; Martin, Antony P; Godman, Brian
    Background: Countries across Africa and Asia have introduced a variety of measures to prevent and treat COVID-19 with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding some treatments including hydroxychloroquine where the initial hype and misinformation led to shortages, price rises and suicides. Price rises and shortages were also seen for PPE. Such activities can have catastrophic consequences especially in countries with high copayment levels. Consequently, there is a need to investigate this further. Objective: Assess changes in utilisation, prices, and shortages of pertinent medicines and PPE among African and Asian countries since the start of pandemic. Our approach: Data gathering among community pharmacists to assess changes in patterns from the beginning of March until principally the end of May 2020. In addition, suggestions on ways to reduce misinformation. Results: One hundred and thirty one pharmacists took part building on the earlier studies across Asia. There were increases in the utilisation of principally antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine) and antibiotics (azithromycin) especially in Nigeria and Ghana. There were limited changes in Namibia and Vietnam reflecting current initiatives to reduce inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials. Encouragingly, there was increased use of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE across the countries where documented. In addition, generally limited change in the utilisation of herbal medicines. However, shortages have resulted in appreciable price increases in some countries although moderated in others through government initiatives. Suggestions in Namibia going forward included better planning and educating patients. Conclusion: Encouraging to see increases in the utilisation of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, concerns with increased utilisation of antimicrobials needs addressing alongside misinformation, unintended consequences from the pandemic and any appreciable price rises. Community pharmacists and patient organisations can play key roles in providing evidence-based advice, helping moderate prices through improved stock management, and helping address unintended consequences of the pandemic. Keywords: Africa, Asia, community pharmacists, COVID-19, medicines, protective equipment, price rises, shortages
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    Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa:
    (2020) Ogunleye, Olayinka O.; Basu, Debashis; Debjani Mueller; Sneddon, Jacqueline; Seaton, R. Andrew; Yinka-Ogunleye, Adesola F.; JWamboga, oshua; Miljković, Nenad; Mwita, Julius C.; Rwegerera, Godfrey Mutashambara; Rwegerera, Godfrey Mutashambara; Okwen, Patrick; Niba, Loveline Lum; Nsaikila, Melaine; Rashed, Wafaa M.; Hussein, Mohamed Ali; Hegazy, Rehab; Amu, Adefolarin A.; Boahen-Boaten, Baffour Boaten; Matsebula, Zinhle; Gwebu, Prudence; Chirigo, Bongani; Mkhabela, Nongabisa; Dlamini, Tenelisiwe; Sithole, Siphiwe; Malaza, Sandile; Dlamini, Sikhumbuzo; Afriyie, Daniel; Asare, George Awuku; Amponsah, Seth Kwabena; Sefah, Israel; Oluka, Margaret; Guantai, Anastasia N.; Opanga, Sylvia A.; Sarele, Tebello Violet; Mafisa, Refeletse Keabetsoe; Chikowe, Ibrahim; Khuluza, Felix; Kibuule, Dan; Kalemeera, Francis; Mubita, Mwangana; Fadare, Joseph; Sibomana, Laurien; Ramokgopa, Gwendoline Malegwale; Whyte, Carmen; Maimela, Tshegofatso; Hugo, Johannes; Meyer, Johanna C.; Schellack, Natalie; Rampamba, Enos M.; Visser, Adel; Alfadl, Abubakr; Malik, Elfatih M.; Malande, Oliver Ombeva; Kalungia, Aubrey C.; Mwila, Chiluba; Zaranyika, Trust; Chaibva, Blessmore Vimbai; Olaru, Ioana D.; Masuka, Nyasha; Wale, Janney; Hwenda, Lenias; Kamoga, Regina; Hill, Ruaraidh; Barbui, Corrado; Bochenek, Tomasz; Kurdi, Amanj; Campbell, Stephen; Martin, Antony P.; Thi Phuong, Thuy Nguyen; Thanh, Binh Nguyen; Godman, Brian
    Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed considerable lives. There are major concerns in Africa due to existing high prevalence rates for both infectious and non-infectious diseases and limited resources in terms of personnel, beds and equipment. Alongside this, concerns that lockdown and other measures will have on prevention and management of otherinfectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are an increasing issue with rising morbidity and mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that a lack of nets and treatment could result in up to 18 million additional cases of malaria and up to 30,000 additional deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: Document current prevalence and mortality rates from COVID-19 alongside economic and other measures to reduce its spread and impact across Africa. In addition, suggested ways forward among all key stakeholder groups. Our Approach: Contextualise the findings from a wide range of publications including internet-based publications coupled with input from senior-level personnel. Ongoing Activities: Prevalence and mortality rates are currently lower in Africa than among several Western countries and the USA. This could be due to a number of factors including early instigation of lockdown and border closures, the younger age of the population, lack of robust reporting systems and as yet unidentified genetic and other factors. Innovation is accelerating to address concerns with available equipment. There are ongoing steps to address the level of misinformation and its consequences including fines. There are also ongoing initiatives across Africa to start addressing the unintended consequences of COVID-19 activities including lockdown measures and their impact on NCDs including the likely rise in mental health disorders, exacerbated by increasing stigma associated with COVID-19. Strategies include extending prescription lengths, telemedicine and encouraging vaccination. However, these need to be accelerated to prevent increased morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: There are multiple activities across Africa to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and address misinformation, which can have catastrophic consequences, assisted by the WHO and others, which appear to be working in a number of countries. Research is ongoing to clarify the unintended consequences given ongoing concerns to guide future activities. Countries are learning from each other.
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    Strategies to Improve Antimicrobial Utilization with a Special Focus on Developing Countries
    (MDPI, 2021) Godman, Brian; Egwuenu, Abiodun; Haque, Mainul; Ombeva Malande, Oliver; Schellack, Natalie; Kumar, Santosh; Saleem, Zikria; Sneddon, Jacqueline; Hoxha, Iris; Islam, Salequl; Mwita, Julius; Rezende Macedo do Nascimento, Renata Cristina; Piassi Dias Godói, Isabella; Lum Niba, Loveline; Amu, Adefolarin A.; Acolatse, Joseph; Incoom, Robert; Abebrese Sefah, Israel; Opanga, Sylvia; Kurdi, Amanj; Chikowe, Ibrahim; Khuluza, Felix; Kibuule, Dan; Ogunleye, Olayinka O.; Olalekan, Adesola; Markovic-Pekovic, Vanda; Meyer, Johanna C.; Alfadl, Abubakr; Thi Phuong, Thuy Nguyen; Kalungia, Aubrey C.; Campbell, Stephen; Pisana, Alice; Wale, Janney; Seaton, R. Andrew
    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a high priority across countries as it increases morbidity, mortality and costs. Concerns with AMR have resulted in multiple initiatives internationally, nationally and regionally to enhance appropriate antibiotic utilization across sectors to reduce AMR, with the overuse of antibiotics exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Effectively tackling AMR is crucial for all countries. Principally a narrative review of ongoing activities across sectors was undertaken to improve antimicrobial use and address issues with vaccines including COVID-19. Point prevalence surveys have been successful in hospitals to identify areas for quality improvement programs, principally centering on antimicrobial stewardship programs. These include reducing prolonged antibiotic use to prevent surgical site infections. Multiple activities centering on education have been successful in reducing inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of antimicrobials in ambulatory care for essentially viral infections such as acute respiratory infections. It is imperative to develop new quality indicators for ambulatory care given current concerns, and instigate programs with clear public health messaging to reduce misinformation, essential for pandemics. Regular access to effective treatments is needed to reduce resistance to treatments for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. Key stakeholder groups can instigate multiple initiatives to reduce AMR. These need to be followed up. Keywords: antimicrobials; antimicrobial stewardship programs; antimicrobial resistance; healthcareassociated infections; COVID-19; lower- and middle-income countries; misinformation; patient initiatives; surgical site infections; vaccines