The Ministry of Health through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has so far received a total of seven applications related to Covid-19 clinical trials, three of which have been reviewed and approved while four are under different review stages.
MoH Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Rashid Aman said that as a ministry, they recognise the importance of research in the race to develop novel treatment and preventive remedies for Covid-19 such as drugs and vaccines.
Speaking on Monday while giving the daily Covid-19 briefs, Dr. Aman said that in solidarity with all countries in the world and global bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board is responsible for the authorization of clinical trials.
“The Board has a robust clinical trial review process, undertaken by an expert committee drawn from various relevant fields. The PPB has so far received a total of seven applications related to Covid-19 clinical trials. These applications propose the use of different products including convalescent plasma, vaccine, monoclonal antibody, repurposed drugs and radiotherapy,” explained the CAS.
Dr Aman highlighted that the studies come with strict conditions including submission of monthly progress reports, and were also subject to regular monitoring to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) compliance.
On the Covid-19 statistics, Dr Aman said that 102 people have tested positive from a sample size of 2,668 tested, bringing to 35,205 the number of confirmed positive cases.
“Our cumulative tests now stand at 477,145. From the cases all are Kenyans except nine that are foreigners. In terms of gender, for the first time, there is an equal share of 51 for both males and females. The youngest is a one-year old child, while the oldest is 86,” said Dr Aman.
The CAS said that Nairobi led with 41 cases, Kitui 11, Kiambu 7, Mombasa 6, Busia 5, Turkana 4, Nyeri 4, Taita Taveta 4, Meru 3, Murang’a 3, Kajiado 2, Machakos 2, Makueni 2, Bungoma 2, Kilifi 2, Embu 1, Laikipia 1, Garissa 1 and Kisumu 1.
“I am glad to inform you that 80 patients have recovered from the disease, 30 from the home-based Care Programme, and 50 have been discharged from various hospitals. Total recoveries now stand at 21,310. We thank our healthcare workers for the good work that has enabled us achieve these results. Unfortunately, we have lost two patients to the disease, bringing our fatality to 599. Our condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost their loved ones,” he said.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
