Madagascar’s Covid 19 Cure And The Pathway To Drug Discovery
Madagascar a country of about 26m people has claimed that it has a cure and prevention for the deadly Coronavirus. Like many African nations, it cannot be referred to as a fully developed nation. As at 5th May 2020, WHO affirmed that Madagascar has 158 cases. Online resources proved that there are 101 recoveries and 0 deaths. Madagascar has been administering her Covid Organic beverage to her Coronavirus patients and citizens. Covid Organics is made from Artemisia plant scientifically known for being capable of treating Malaria. The beverage is made by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research. Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina, who was a former DJ has told the world the Covid organics has cured 2 people.
Ethical Dilemma
Safety
"Africans deserve to use medicines tested to the same standards as people in the rest of the world," So said the WHO. Covid Organics are not tested according to USFDA rules and WHO standards. Should a drug for a pandemic be passed for consumption because the pandemic is ravaging and has killed over 250,000?
Efficacy
One of Professor Sofowora's warnings against preclinical trial consumption of herbs is the lack of scientific proof of its efficacy. Why use a drug that cures the lungs to destroy the liver? Why must Madagascar go through the appropriate drug discovery process? For thoroughness or for idea theft?
Madagascar's Concerns
Must preclinical trials and test always been done abroad to confirm efficacy of a drug? Despite all the tests, there are still allergies, reactions, complications and deaths caused different drug reactions. The first and Second Universities on earth are located in Africa. Must Africa pass her drug discovery process through developed nations? China hardly does and most of the scientifically confirmed cures of HBV are confirmed results of Chinese drugs. Must Africa always submit her achievements to Europe or the developed world for scrutiny?
Consumption
Tanzania, Liberia, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau have all ordered for Covid organics. In Madagascar, soldiers are distributing door to door. Do you think Madagascar is crossing the line in administering untested remedies as stated by WHO?
Drug Abuse
When we were young, Benyline-with-Codeine was a normal drug. I took lots of Benyline until Nigerians started entering pharmacies, buy Benyline with C and drink bottles inside the pharmacy. We never knew that Codeine was a hard drug until the abuse started. Considering antimicrobial resistance levels in the world today and how abused Chloroquine was, do you think WHO is right to insist on testing Covid organics considering possibility of drug abuse and antimicrobial resistance?
Similarities
Many believe genuinely that hydroxychloroquine raises the alkalinity of the Human body. With it, Coronavirus will not be able to do its harm with high body alkalinity. The viruses won't be able to uncoat when the human body is too alkaline. Just like Choloroquine is mostly nominated for Covid 19 cure, will it be most right to focus on a vaccine like developed nations are doing when a cure is truly possible?
A Delay or a Process
Ivermectin was discovered by Satuchi Omura, Nobel prize award winner for 2015. That drug Ivermectin was discovered in 1975, came into medical use for veterinary purposes in 1981 and approved for human use on 10th August 1998. Omura tweaked the drug and recommended it for treatment of river blindness and Lymphatic filariasis. Despite the fact that it was an instant success, it took more than a decade to allow it. Before 2015 when he won the Nobel Prize, the drug had cured over 270m people! Please note that prior to this, many had died of this disease. Today, there is antibiotic resistance of Ivermectin. Why must a drug discovery take eternity when deaths are on? Should we attempt to wait like Omura, if 252,000 has died in the first 3 months of Coronavirus, how many will have died in 10 years if the desired vaccine fails?
The Politics of Drug Discovery
The politics in global drug discovery is more than the politics in Global Politics. Phamarceutical companies hate drugs that cure people one off. First is They want drugs you will use for life. And secondly, they want vaccines to generate income before a cure. Do you see this politics in the case of Covid organics?
If Madagascar has a cure, let her cure her over 150 actively infected citizens. You cannot insist on citizens using a drug we do not know its full long term effects. You cannot insist on having a cure by treating just 2 to 5 people for an infection that could be cured by natural body immunity. However the willingness of Africans to use the herbal drug is a huge opportunity for scientific research. African Union however should come in for Madagascar at this time and ensure full drug screening as preferred by Madagascar in line with international standards. Rajoelina has a duty to the Malagasy people and WHO cannot punish a continent. Finally, Africa must take research seriously for the preservation of her history, health, home, homage and future.
