[e-drug] Prevention and treatment of malaria by homeopathic remedies

e-drug
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E-DRUG: Prevention and treatment of malaria by homeopathic remedies
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[No details of this product have been found on the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of
Kenya website
http://www.pharmacyboardkenya.org/index.php?id=13&Submit=Search&dpgndg1=3&an=

There is no specification of active ingredient in any of the information about this product- a requirement for registration. E-drug would welcome comments as suggested by Ken. Moderator ]

Dear E-druggers
An advertisement from the following web site intrigued me and I wondered if
E-drug readers (especially from Africa) would like to comment:

http://www.abhalight.org/products/malarix.html

"MalariX: We are happy to announce that our popular product has now been
registered with the Kenyan Ministry of Health (Pharmacy & Poisons Board). We
have given MalariX bright new packaging.

This excellent product has 10 years of positive clinical results with
thousands of patients. Its for that reason that we have moved forward in
registering this product.

MalariX is a homeopathically prepared complex formula that has been
successfully used to prevent and treat malaria in Kenya & Africa for the
last 10 years.

Thousands of Kenyans use it regularly for prevention. And thousands of
others have used it successfully to treat malaria when it has befallen them.

Under ALF's Malaria-Free charity programme, over 1500 Kenyan families are
receiving free malaria prevention and are now malaria-free".

See also:
http://homeopathyplus.com.au/the-use-of-homeopathic-prophylaxis-and-treatmen
t-for-malaria-in-endemic-areas-of-kenya-pt2/

The latter web site also promotes homeopathic immunisation as a safe and
effective way to protect against serious childhood and other epidemic
diseases. While a complaint about such claims in Australia has been successful, the
withdrawal of claims and retraction requested by the Complaint Resolution
Panel have not been complied with because of weakness in Australian
medicines promotional regulation (which we are trying to get the government
to address), see:

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2010/s2867990.htm

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Dr Ken Harvey
Adjunct Senior Lecturer
School of Public Health, La Trobe University
http://medreach.com.au
Mobile +614 1918 1910 | Fax: +613 9818 1875
"Ken Harvey" <k.harvey@medreach.com.au

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E-DRUG: Consumers' knowledge, perceptions & attitudes to generic medicines in Auckland NZ
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An evaluation of consumers' knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding generic medicines in Auckland
http://www.springerlink.com/content/2n22020r2x366782/fulltext.pdf

Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar1 , Joanna Stewart2, Shiwangni Reddy1, Woroud Alzaher1, Prateeka Vareed1, Nineweh Yacoub1, Bandhana Dhroptee1 and Anne Rew1
(1) School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Mail Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
(2) School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Mail Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
Published online: 18 June 2010

Abstract
Objectives The aim of this project was to evaluate the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes regarding generic medicines.

Methods A cross-sectional study, with self administered questionnaires, was conducted to survey consumers visiting pharmacies in four regions of Auckland (North Shore, Waitakere, Central Auckland and South Auckland). Through stratified random sampling, approximately 10% of pharmacies from each region were selected, which turn out to be 30 pharmacies. Every alternate customer coming to the pharmacy, who was eligible to participate in the study, was asked by the researchers to complete the questionnaire.

Results A total of 441 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Different response rates were obtained in different regions of Auckland. Of all respondents, 51.6% had previous knowledge of generic medicines. Pharmacists were the main source of information regarding generic medicines followed by doctors and media. A higher level of education had a direct relationship with having correct knowledge of generics (P = .002). Attitude of participants toward the use of generic medicines was determined by their knowledge of generics, whether it was recommended by a pharmacist and their type of illness. Participants were more prepared to change to a generic for a minor illness (79%) than for a major illness (58.7%). Those who had better knowledge were more likely than those with poor knowledge to say they would to use a generic in major illness (P = .001) as well as minor illness (P < .0001). Previous positive experiences with generics also determined consumers' willingness to use generics.

Conclusion Many consumers have misconceptions regarding generic medicines. Having knowledge about generics and the advice by doctors and pharmacists are key indicators to improve the quality use of generic medicines.

Keywords Attitudes - Auckland - Consumers - Generic medicines - Opinions

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Dr Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar B.Pharm, MPharm (Clin Pharm), PhD
Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice
School of Pharmacy
Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences
The University of Auckland
Private Mail Bag 92019, Auckland
New Zealand
Ph: +64 9 3737599 Ext 88436
Fax: +64 9 3677192
http://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/sop/smr/
Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar <horizon_pharm@yahoo.com>