Quality of Essential Medicines from Different Sources in Enugu and Anambra, Nigeria.

This study investigated the quality of 13 essential medicines in the states of Enugu and Anambra, Nigeria. A total of 260 samples were purchased from licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers and from vendors in pharmaceutical markets with unclear licensing status. Samples were analyzed for identity, content, and dissolution according to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 42 monographs.

Tübingen model study: large-scale introduction of rapid antigen testing in the population and the viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2.

Despite of contact restrictions, population mobility remains the main reason for the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The state of Baden-Württemberg (BW), Germany, approved a model study in Tübingen (TÜMOD) to evaluate how mandatory rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) could reduce transmission. Between 16 March and 24 April 2021, approximately 165,000 residents and visitors to the city were screened for SARS CoV-2 infection using Abbott Panbio™ COVID-19 Antigen rapid test device.

Surveillance for substandard and falsified medicines by local faith-based organizations in 13 low- and middle-income countries using the GPHF Minilab.

This study evaluates the use of the Global Pharma Health Fund (GPHF) Minilab for medicine quality screening by 16 faith-based drug supply organizations located in 13 low- and middle-income countries. The study period included the year before the COVID-19 pandemic (2019) and the first year of the pandemic (2020). In total 1,919 medicine samples were screened using the GPHF Minilab, and samples showing serious quality deficiencies were subjected to compendial analysis in fully equipped laboratories.

Surveillance for falsified and substandard medicines in Africa and Asia by local organizations using the low-cost GPHF Minilab.

Background: Substandard and falsified medical products present a serious threat to public health, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Their identification using pharmacopeial analysis is expensive and requires sophisticated equipment and highly trained personnel. Simple, low-cost technologies are required in addition to full pharmacopeial analysis in order to accomplish widespread routine surveillance for poor-quality medicines in low- and middle-income countries.

Randomized controlled trial of a traditional preparation of Artemisia annua L. (Annual Wormwood) in the treatment of malaria.

The Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua L. (Annual Wormwood) contains the antimalarial compound artemisinin. The locally grown herb may offer an additional tool for the control of malaria, especially in poor countries where modern antimalarial drugs are often unavailable.

Equity and resource allocation in health care: dialogue between Islam and Christianity.

Inequities in health and health care are one of the greatest challenges facing the international community today. This problem raises serious questions for health care planners, politicians and ethicists alike. The major world religions can play an important role in this discussion.