The University of Zambia (UNZA) has constituted a team of experts that include Medicinal Chemists, Drug Discovery Scientists, Virologists, Botanists, Pharmacologists and Pathologists to help in the discovery of home-grown low cost cures for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The consortium of experts will be exploring Zambian traditional medicines/plants and clinically-established drugs in the Zambian Formulary as potential treatments for COVID-19.
The team comprises Dr James Nyirenda (the lead investigator), Dr Peter Mubanga Cheuka, Dr Edgar Simulundu, Dr Angela Gono-Bwalya, Dr Takondwa Chidumayo, Dr Katendi Changula, Dr Caroline Chisenga, Dr Wezi Kachinda and Mr Kelly Chisanga.
According to a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by UNZA Head of Communications Brenda Bukowa on July 15, 2020, the team’s core mandate is twofold; firstly, to discover and develop medicines that are readily available for the local population and secondly, to discover and develop local medicines optimized for effectiveness and safety on an African or local population.
Meanwhile, the consortium of experts has since received funding from the Ministry of Higher Education through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The funding received will be used to kickstart the project.
And University of Zambia (UNZA) Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Tamala Kambikambi has paid glowing tribute to the consortium of researchers championing the discovery and development of the anti-COVID 19 pandemic drug. Dr. Kambikambi says UNZA’s research undertaking will solve the problems exacerbated by the unavailability of medicines discovered and developed elsewhere on the African continent. She adds that Zambia has lagged behind in the area of drug discovery and development since independence hence the urgent need for UNZA to take a lead.
The Acting VC has also expressed gratitude to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) through the Ministry of Higher Education for the funds received to kickstart the project.
