Browsing by Author "Rampamba, Enos M"

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    Covid-19, healthcare and self-medication issues in resource limited-settings :
    (Busitema University, 2021) Sefah, Israel Abebrese; Essah, Darius Obeng; Haque, Mainul; Opanga, Sylvia A; Kumar, Santosh; Chikowe, Ibrahim; Kibuule, Dan; Rampamba, Enos M; Kalungia, Aubrey C; Thi Phuong, Thuy Nguyen; Saleem, Zikria; Markovic‑Pekovic, Vanda; Kurdi, Amanj; Godman, Brian
    Introduction and objectives: There have been concerns with the level of misinformation regarding COVID-19 and its treatment, drug shortages, as well as increased use and prices of antimalarials, antibiotics and hygiene products during the recent pandemic. Community pharmacists can play a significant role in disease prevention and treatment in the fight against COVID-19 including providing hygiene information and medicine availability across Africa and generally. Consequently, there is a need to review the role of community pharmacists in preventing unintended consequences during any pandemic as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the demand, availability and prices of suggested medicines for its management. Method: Multiple approach involving a qualitative review of the management of COVID-19 across countries coupled with a pilot study in Ghana among six purposely selected community pharmacists during the early stages of the pandemic assessing patterns of demand, availability and prices of medicines suggested for the management of COVID-19. Alongside this, pharmacists’ future role enhancing appropriate medicine use in Ghana and wider combined with the help of senior level co-authors. Results: The majority (five out of six) of pharmacists in Ghana reported increased demand for hydroxychloroquine, antibiotics and vitamins as immune boosters resulting in shortages with price increases particularly for antimalarials. Conclusion: The global lockdown had impacted on the supply and prices of medicines in Ghana similar to other countries. Community pharmacists can play a key role with encouraging safe medicine use, reducing self-purchasing of medicines and planning workflows during future pandemics including vaccinations. They can also help address potential misinformation and its consequences as well as the unintended consequences of pandemics including better management of non-communicable diseases. Keywords: Community pharmacists, COVID-19, Ghana, misinformation, self-medication, supply chain
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    Ongoing and planned activities to improve the management of patients with Type 1 diabetes across Africa; implications for the future
    (Taylor & Francis, 2020) Godman, Brian; Basu, Debashis; Pillay, Yogan; Almeida, Paulo H. R. F.; Mwita, Julius C.; Rwegerera, Godfrey Mutashambara; Paramadhas, Bene D Anand; Tiroyakgosi, Celda; Okwen, Patrick; Niba, Loveline Lum; Sefah, Israel; Oluka, Margaret; Guantai, Anastasia N; Kibuule, Dan; Kalemeera, Francis; Mubita, Mwangana; Fadare, Joseph; Ogunleye, Olayinka O.; Rampamba, Enos M; Wing, Jeffrey; Mueller, Debjani; Alfadl, Abubakr; Amu, Adefolarin A; Matsebula, Zinhle; Kalungia, Aubrey; Zaranyika, Trust; Masuka, Nyasha; Wale, Janney; Hill, Ruaraidh; Kurdi, Amanj; Timoney, Angela; Campbell, Stephen; Meyer, Johanna C
    Background Currently about 19 million people in Africa are known to be living with diabetes, mainly Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (95%), estimated to grow to 47 million people by 2045. However, there are concerns with early diagnosis of patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) as often patients present late with complications. There are also challenges with access and affordability of insulin, monitoring equipment and test strips with typically high patient co-payments, which can be catastrophic for families. These challenges negatively impact on the quality of care of patients with T1DM increasing morbidity and mortality. There are also issues of patient education and psychosocial support adversely affecting patients’ quality of life. These challenges need to be debated and potential future activities discussed to improve the future care of patients with T1DM across Africa. Methodology Documentation of the current situation across Africa for patients with T1DM including the epidemiology, economics, and available treatments within public healthcare systems as well as ongoing activities to improve their future care. Subsequently, provide guidance to all key stakeholder groups going forward utilizing input from senior-level government, academic and other professionals from across Africa. Results Whilst prevalence rates for T1DM are considerably lower than T2DM, there are concerns with late diagnosis as well as the routine provision of insulin and monitoring equipment across Africa. High patient co-payments exacerbate the situation. However, there are ongoing developments to address the multiple challenges including the instigation of universal health care and partnerships with non-governmental organizations, patient organizations, and pharmaceutical companies. Their impact though remains to be seen. In the meantime, a range of activities has been documented for all key stakeholder groups to improve future care. Conclusion There are concerns with the management of patients with T1DM across Africa. A number of activities has been suggested to address this and will be monitored. KEYWORDS: Type 1 diabetes healthcare, policies-insulin primary, healthcare glucose, monitoring patient, co-paymentsAfrica