By Moses Ndhaye
Uganda has started clinical trials for the injectable formulation of HIV and Aids drugs meant to replace oral antiretroviral drugs.
The clinical trial is determining the two drugs cabotegravir and rilpivirine.
The executive director for the Joint Clinical Research center Dr. Cissy Kityo says a total of 76 participants in Uganda have been enrolled to participate in the trial.
She says the 76 participants from Uganda are part of the 512 participants who have been enrolled to participate in the trial in the three countries, which include Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa.
She says in Uganda, the study will take place in three sites which include, Lubowa Joint clinical research center, and Fort portal site, and the Makerere University infectious diseases institute.
She says when the drug is approved to be effective, a patient will be required to take an injection every two months rather than taking a tablet every day.
She says although the said drugs have been licensed for use in the USA and in Europe, the trial will be looking for whether the African public health setting will be able to adapt to the use of the drug and also see if the drug will work well for pregnant women among others.
She says the trial will cover the next 24 months.
