MBARARA:KAZIRE STARTS PRODUCTION OF LOCALLY-MADE HERBAL DRUG THAT WILL GRANT RELIEF IN TREATMENT OF PEPTIC ULCERS

By Twesigye Aggrey
MBARARA

The National Drug Authority (NDA) has given a green light to a locally-made herbal drug for the treatment of Peptic Ulcers.

A study conducted by Mbarara University Science and Technology (MUST) in collaboration with Kazire Health Products Limited, a Mbarara City-based herbal drinks factory, has innovated and produced a drug dubbed ALSATON which will give relief to patients who have been battling peptic ulcers in Uganda and beyond.

According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) data published in 2020, Peptic Ulcer disease deaths in Uganda reached 687 or 0.33% of total deaths, ranking Uganda 63rd in the world.

ALSATON’s dosage form is liquid and is packed in a 200ml pet bottle,

A ‘notification of product’ (clearance) letter from the NDA giving the factory the green light to manufacture and market the herbal medicine within Uganda.

“Only the notified products can be marketed in the country,” Mrs. Juliet Awori Oketcho who signed on behalf of the NDA secretary, wrote about ALSATON on September 2, 2022.

In the letter verified by this publication and also addressed to the Regulatory Affairs Manager at NDA, Mrs. Oketcho revealed that the application files and samples for the product had been thoroughly evaluated, the herbal medicine qualified as such and placed on the list of ‘Notified Herbal Products’ in the NDA system.

But she warned: “Please note that all promotions/ adverts regarding Herbal medicines must be vetted and approved by NDA before they are used in any advertisement.”

Kazire’s Coordinator for Research and Development, Mr. Sedrack Atuhaire, wrote to ResearchFinds yesterday and affirmed the approval saying ALSTON is the factory’s second drug to emerge out of their research program and be approved by NDA.

“This is the second drug by Kazire Health Products Limited to get notified. Slowly, we are drifting towards the world of Pharmaceutical independence as a country and by God’s grace, we shall improve Uganda’s health care using our means and God’s given natural resources”Atuhaire explained.

Mr. Atuhaire confirmed that on top of NDA notification, the factory was in touch with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations secretariat to have the drug upgraded to the clinical trials stage, a crucial undertaking in the drugs manufacturing industry that will give a higher level of authenticity.