A new drug has been shown to heal foot ulcer in diabetic patients and prevent the amputation of their limbs.
Medical experts in Cuba developed the drug, Heberprot-P, which was presented in Nigeria, for the first time last week.
The researchers and developers of the drug said it has undergone clinical and pre-clinical trials, and has been used in 45 countries, with more than 150,000 patients treated with it around the world.
People who suffer from diabetes are at risk of developing foot pain and ulcers. It is a major complication of diabetes mellitus. A foot ulcer is prone to infection which may become severe.
Dr Aristides Garcia, lead presenter of Heberprot-P, said diabetic foot ulcer is not only a limb condition but a life threatening condition. He said Heberprot-P improves the healing of diabetic foot ulcer in a shorter time, is safe and has no important side effect
Asked the number of doses of the medication required to heal a diabetic ulcer , he said about six to eight doses may be required in Nigeria for total closure of the wound, adding that the wound usually begins to close with four doses.
He added that four doses are usually required in Europe while 12 doses are required for very severe cases in Cuba .
Garcia, who is also the Rector of Matanzas Medical University, Cuba said registration of the drug is 90% complete with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and clinical trial will commence soon at Garki hospital in Abuja.
“We started research in 1999 and we started clinical application in 2000. After that we obtained registration in Cuba in 2007 and we started exportation and experimentation of the drug around the world with clinical trials,” he stated.
Dr. Ibrahim Wada, founder of Nisa Premier Hospital and vice chairman of Garki Hospital said Heberprot-P was a very strong Cuba developed medication that will contribute to the well being of people living with diabetes in Nigeria, especially those who are at risk of diabetic ulcer that may lead to amputation.
Wada who is one of the brains behind the presentation of the drug in Nigeria, said “many people present late with diabetes in hospitals in our country because there are no good screening programmes.
He said in the villages and cities, many people realize they have diabetes only when they first notice an ulcer in their legs and go to the hospital . “Then they realize its diabetes that has caused it. Somewhere between 15 and 20% in my have estimation have complicated diabetes because it is too late when you find out,” he said.
“The reality is when you get the ulcer, the drug becomes an additional effort to save your limbs and so far from the presentation and local experience here, it reduces the risk of amputation at least three to four times. Therefore it has value in promoting the healing and contraction of the wound and reducing the chances of the ulcer reoccurring which is very important.
“The essential message is that it can help to spare limbs of those with ulcer who are facing the option of amputation,” Wada said.
While saying 20 people have been targeted for the clinical trial in the hospital, he said the drug has recorded a 75% success rate and that it is a medical breakthrough through advanced thinking process and efforts.
The Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, who was represented by the director Specialty, Dr Noah Andrew, said the Federal Government through the ministry was in support of the collaboration and use of Heberprot-P. He said it has helped in saving many lives in about 50 countries and appealed that the drug be made affordable for Nigerians when commercialised.
Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Nigeria, Carlos Trejo Sosa, said his country was willing to partner with Nigeria on the production of the drug and others to ensure improvement in the health of Nigerians.
