Skip to main content

Nigeria approves use of experimental drug, Zmapp, on Ebola patients

 
 
The National Health Research Ethics Committee, Nigeria, has approved the use of an experimental Ebola drug, Zmapp, for treatment of patients infected with the virus. The committee, which composed research scientists, is a national body under the Federal Ministry of Health.
The endorsement is contained in a statement issued to newsmen by Prof. Clement Adebamowo, Chairman of the committee on Wednesday in Abuja. Continue...


The decision by the committee is coming on the heels of Tuesday’s approval by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the use of Zmapp for treatment of Ebola patients.
“It is ethical to use these treatments in the current situation without first submitting an application to National, State or Institutional Health Research Ethics Committee for prior review and approval.
“In addition, the Committee waives the current requirement that international shipment of any biological samples out of Nigeria should be preceded by the establishment of a Materials Transfer Agreement.
“This waiver is to promote rapid international response to this global emergency,’’ the statement said.
In the statement, the Nigerian National Code for Health Research Ethics emphasised that all innovative and non-validated treatments should be carefully and adequately documented.
According to the statement, the documentation can form the basis for clinical trials of the efficacy and side effects of the treatment according to established scientific principles.
In the statement, the ethics committee enjoined all agencies, development partners and research scientists to follow the guideline for the rapid resolution of the current emergency.
“The guideline will contribute to preparedness in case of future occurrences and contribution to scientific knowledge.
“It must be noted that all Phase O and Phase I Clinical Trials that may subsequently be designed for treatment of this infection can be approved only by the National Health Research Ethics Committee,’’ it said. 
Source: NAN

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Beautiful of Birthday Cry! Cry!! Cry!!! The Nature Stand Still Listen! Listen!! Listen!!! What a cry with tiding joys Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! The Earth proclaims… Plus One to balance my being Where was I? Where was I? Decades ago; in wondering land I perceived a fast breath Why! Why!! Why!!! She’s birth; she’s here; just now! Wow! Beautiful; wonderful; Greatness What a combination. I listen to my heart I visualize; happy family A second to be The only Queen amoung three Kings Nne, Daddy joyfully proclaim her JaneMaureen! Oh Mother! A Golden Heart You no left behind Abuilder of family; a lover of home# Though not jealous; I see you in her You whisper, like the gentle voice To Elijah; the Bible Chidinma; Chidinma; Chidinma Yes! A name with blessings God is beautiful She’s beautiful God is Great She’s great God is wonderful She’s wonderful I celebrate with her My friend, my colleague Yes, she is p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Panic in Borno/Adamawa communities

As Boko Haram insurgents flee Gwoza   Fear has gripped residents of some communi­ties around the border of Borno and Ad­amawa states following rumours that Boko Ha­ram insurgents fleeing from Gwoza may attack their communities. Ezekiel Musa and Markus Yalah, both residents of Askira, south of Borno and Madagali in Adamawa State said they fled the communi­ties yesterday to Maiduguri to stay with their brothers in response to the rumour that Boko Haram was planning to attack their towns. “We heard Boko Haram men left Gwoza and have vowed to attack some com­munities in Askira/Uba again. So most people have not been sleeping very well since Thursday. We had to leave because everybody is talking about it. We came through Biu to Gujba in Yobe,” Markus disclosed. Also, a Maiduguri resident who did not want his name in print confirmed the develop­ment, adding that his mother intimated him about the anxiety in his village. “My mother told me people in our village didn’t ...
Post a Comment
Read more