[afro-nets] Experimental Novartis drug shows malaria promise (3)

General afro-nets
1

(NOTE: Corrected version of the message)

I do not know what to believe. Yet another new drug against malaria, and supposed will be effective until the parasites build resistance against it ? How many more drugs are there going to be before malaria is finally eliminated. Why so little is being emphasised on vector control leaves me totally baffled. Vector control is easily managed at community level cost effective and has great impact. The countries which eradicated malaria did not do it through a diversity of drugs but rather through sound environmental interventions. Why is it not happening anymore?

Prof. Robert S. Machang'u
Sokoine Uiversity of Agriculture
P.O.Box 3110, Morogoro, Tanzania
Phone: +255(0)23 260 4621, +255(0)23 260 3509
Fax: +255(0)23 260 1485
mailto:machangu2001@yahoo.com
mailto:Machangu@suanet.ac.tz

2

I used to work with an organization that was committed in Malaria research as a Documentation Manager (Ifakara Health Institute), Whenever we conducted some internal meetings discussing research results on malaria war progress, I used to ask some questions like.
1. Is the business of drugs trigger scientist not to deal with short cut and effective ways of eradicating mosquito in our environment especially in Africa ?
2. Why some of the trials on drugs are sponsored by drug companies not by the malaria affected countries?
3. If African countries spend a lot of money on luxury cars why they don't budget for mosquito eradication?

We have to congratulate the drug companies and research organizations for their efforts to produce more and effective drugs, but they must know that malaria is the disease of the poor and it is surrounded with poverty therefore a lot of efforts should be done to deal with malaria vectors eradication like what happened in other parts of the world.

In Brazil they had mosquitoes like Africa but they managed to eliminate almost all of them, why not in Africa? Let us workup and eliminate mosquitoes before drug resistance. In Tanzania we used to have programs of dealing with mosquitoes breeding sites but no one knows what happened since the Government does not conduct any known program of killing mosquitoes. We are not sure who is benefiting on the whole business of malaria

Ally Hussein Ruhettah
Warden
Mkwawa University College of Education
Private Bag
Iringa
Tanzania
mailto:ruhettah@yahoo.com

3

The environmental bit is the real issue to address not the effect that we are treating. Let the African scientists address the challenge and deliver Africa of Malaria scourge!

--
mailto:lifebuildersnig@yahoo.com

4

If Africa does not help herself, no other person will. We are the ones dying of malaria, not the western world that are sponsoring drug trials, they are in business, so the challenge to eradicate malaria is ours, not theirs

Ukamaka

--
Ukamaka Okafor
mailto:chinaemelum9291@yahoo.com

5

Clinical Trials and Statistical Considerations in Clinical Trails

The Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division of the University of Witwatersrand School of Public Health in Johannesburg, South Africa is offering short courses in Clinical Trials and Statistical Considerations in Clinical Trials in November, 2010.
The courses focus on conduct of clinical trials in developing countries where resources are limited coupled with statistical analysis arising from clinical trials.
Space is limited to 30 participants only in each course on a first come, first serve basis.

CLINICAL TRIALS

8 €“ 12 November 2010

Content
The course provides an introduction to the area of clinical trials focusing on conduct of clinical trials in developing countries where resources are limited. The main issues in the design, implementation and interpretation of clinical trials will be introduced to students. In addition the course will outline the principles of comparative clinical trials in investigating safety; efficacy and effectiveness of treatments highlight strength and weaknesses of clinical trial design in direct comparison to other study designs introduce the key elements and steps in clinical trial implementation including determination of appropriate sample sizes that would give adequate power to the trial.

The key characteristics of clinical trials which includes ethical and methodological considerations, principles of clinical trial conduct, clinical trial organisation and monitoring, data collection, data processing (data management), quality assurance and quality control, and trial reporting will be comprehensively described. The role of data safety and monitoring committee (DSMB) and community advisory board (CAB) as well as good clinical practice (GCP) will be highlighted.
For whom
• Clinical research associates, study coordinators, or monitors working in the field who are looking for additional training.
• Bench scientists in pharmaceutical companies who want to change careers within the industry.
• Registered nurses who want to develop the skills to enter a new field.
• Study coordinators who want more training in order to enter the wider clinical research associate employment market.
• Other professionals who want to enter the field of clinical research, or who have been hired recently by academic study sites and need comprehensive training in clinical research.
Time : 08h00-17h00 Monday to Friday,
Venue: Centre for Health Science Education Board Room, 3rd floor, Medical School, 7 York Road, Parktown.
Cost: Staff and students at Wits University R2500.00
            Participants outside University R5000.00

STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN CLINICAL TRIALS
15 - 20 November 2010
The demand for properly conducted clinical trials has increased over the years, providing a reliable and objective assessment of various treatments or drugs on patients. Statistics has become an integral part of the design, data management and analysis of data arising from clinical trials. The proper use of statistics at all these various stages is important for results to be acceptable to the wider community. It is therefore apparent that there is need to match the growth in clinical trials by expansion of biostatistical expertise.

Objectives
The course is a combination of lectures and hands on practical sessions. It aims to discuss in-depth the statistical issues required to execute a clinical trial and analyze data arising from such studies.

For whom
This course targets professionals working on clinical trials, intending to analyze clinical trials data and to provide statistical support in properly conducted medical research or wanting to enrich and enhance their statistical knowledge.
Closing date for applications is 20 October 2010.
Time : 08h00-17h00 Monday to Friday
Venue: School of Public Health Computer Laboratory, 10th floor, Medical School, 7 York Road, Parktown.
Cost: Staff and students at Wits University : R2500.00
           Participants outside University : R5000.00

For more information please contact:
Vanashree Moodley 011 717 2596 or mail:vanashree.moodley@wits.ac.za.
Registration forms can be downloaded on:
www.wits.ac.za/health/publichealth

Complete Registration forms should be returned to
Mrs Vanashree Moodley.
mailto:vanashree.moodley@wits.ac.za