The challenging times and opportunities for pharmacovigilance in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ogar, Comfort Kunak; Mathenge, Wanjiku; Khaemba, Christabel; Ndagije, Helen Byomire

doi:10.1007/s40267-020-00748-4

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…False claims on COVID-19 cure and antivaccine stormed social media platforms in South Africa around mid-March after reporting patient zero in the country as was the rest of the world. For instance, bogus claims of taking ginger, garlic, turmeric, honey and lemon with warm water to cure COVID-19 led to people buying in abundance on these products (Ogar et al , 2020). However, the most controversial claim on treatment and cure for COVID-19 has been the administration of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, which has left even the medical professionals divided on it (Kumar et al , 2020; Cavojova et al , 2020).…”

Section: Findings and Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, the promotion of home remedies such as the use of garlic and ginger or household disinfectant has prompted life-threatening actions. While garlic has numerous benefits thus being commonly used for heart and blood system conditions, it has side effects such as heartburn, diarrhea, gas and bad breath if take by mouth and severe skin irritation if applied in skin (Ogar et al , 2020). Moreover, there is no sufficient evidence to support the garlic and ginger as cures for COVID-19 (Mian and Khan, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the use of garlic, ginger and lemon have been proven to increase human immune system (Ogar et al , 2020), there is a misinformation that it can cure the corona virus. In addition, there is a claim circulating the internet on drinking of bleaching agents or 52% alcohol to cure COVID-19 (Cavojova et al , 2020).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health-related misinformation and public governance of COVID-19 in South Africa

Kariuki

Ofusori

Goyayi

et al. 2023

DPRG

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Purpose The purpose of this paper was to examine health-related misinformation proliferation during COVID-19 pandemic and its implications on public governance in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach Because of COVID-19 related restrictions, this study conducted a systematic review. The researchers searched several search engines which include PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus to identify relevant studies. A total of 252 peer reviewed research papers were identified. These research papers were furthered filtered, and a total of 44 relevant papers were eventually selected Findings There is a relationship between the spread of health-related misinformation and public governance. Government coordination and institutional coherence across the different spheres of governance is affected when there are multiple sources of information that are unverified and uncoordinated. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to a systematic review because of COVID-19 restrictions, and therefore, actual data could not be collected. Moreover, this study was limited to health-related communication, and therefore, its findings can only be generalized to the health sector. Practical implications Future research in this subject should consider actual data collection from the departments of health and communications to gain an in-depth understanding of misinformation and its implications on public governance from their perspective as frontline departments as far as government communication is concerned. Social implications Misinformation is an impediment to any fight against a public health emergency. Institutions which regulate communications technology and monitor misinformation should work harder in enforcing the law to deter information peddlers from their practice. This calls for reviewing existing regulation so that online spaces are safer for communicating health-related information. Originality/value Effective health communication remains a priority for the South African Government during COVID-19. However, with health-related misinformation on the increase, it is imperative to mitigate the spread to ensure it does not impede effective public governance. Government departments in South Africa are yet to develop policies that mitigate the spread of misinformation, and this paper may assist them in doing so.

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Section: Findings and Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health-related misinformation and public governance of COVID-19 in South Africa

Kariuki

Ofusori

Goyayi

et al. 2023

DPRG

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“…Besides the monitoring of adverse reactions of drugs used in the COVID-19 treatment, we need to be alert about hidden effects of medicinal products such as poisoning through inhalation of disinfectants, cardiac problems associated with overdose chloroquine intake and overdosing of multivitamins [55].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacovigilance Activities in the Treatment of COVID-19

Özal¹,

Inceoğlu²,

Süzgeç³

et al. 2021

Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy

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The unexpected pandemic initiated by the new coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) caused severe panic among people around the world since December 2019. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has wreaked havoc, and Health Authorities have started to make announcements and studies have been started quickly, for effective treatment and vaccination. In studies, drugs that reduce the symptoms of COVID-19 and alleviate the course of the disease have been used. In addition to the effects of these promising drugs, adverse events and multiple drug interactions have begun to appear all over the world, as well as in our country. Therefore, pharmacovigilance is of particular importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health authorities have been taking additional actions and measures to carry out adverse effects monitoring and risk minimization activities of drugs. In our study, we have reviewed the measures taken related to COVID-19 in Turkey and around the world along with safety of drugs used to treat COVID-19 and pharmacovigilance activities during the pandemic.

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