KAMPALA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- As Uganda's COVID-19 cases surge, the east African country is grappling with self-medication that claims to be able to cure the viral respiratory disease.
The Council of Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, an institution that mandates standards in the practice of pharmacy, on Monday urged the public to avoid using prescription drugs to try and treat the virus.
"We urge the public to desist from using prescription medicines such as dexamethasone and azithromycin in the management of COVID-19 without the advice of a health professional," the council said in a statement.
"The ministry of health and the World Health Organization have developed guidelines for self-isolation and self-care of mild and asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 focusing on proper nutrition, frequent hydration and rest," the statement added.
The council urged the public to go for vaccination and follow the proven measures of prevention, including wearing a face mask in public, social distancing and properly washing hands with soap and water.
The state-run National Drug Authority (NDA) also warned in its latest statement against using products on the market that are not approved by it.
"The public is warned against the use of products on the market that are not authorized by NDA purporting to treat COVID-19," the NDA statement said.
"All manufacturers/innovators of herbal medicines are advised to seek guidance from NDA before production and sale of their products," the statement added.
Meanwhile, local authorities announced on Monday that it was sending over 500,000 COVID-19 testing kits to different government-run health facilities across the country. Testing would be free of charge in all government-run facilities.
The country was also stepping up its vaccination campaign. So far, 786,160 people had been vaccinated since March this year.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently announced that the country would soon purchase COVID-19 vaccines instead of entirely depending on donations.
The country is in a partial lockdown aimed at reducing the rapid spread of the virus. Schools and places of worship are all closed and public gatherings are banned. There is also a ban on inter-district travels. Enditem
