| Pharmacology is an essential tool in determining the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs for infectious diseases. The variable sensitivity of pathogens causes different dose-effect relationships and, consequently, dosages can only be optimized by pharmacological studies. The rapid roll-out of HAART using both branded and generic medications, and the new antimalarial combination therapy and antituberculous treatment policies in Africa, have emphasized the deficiencies in our pharmacological knowledge, concerning dosing in pregnant women and children, ethnic differences in drug bio-availability, drug-drug interactions between antiretrovirals (ARVs), antimalarials and anti-TB drugs, bioavailabity of different generic preparations and, notably, of pediatric formulations. The recent introduction of a clinical pharmacology unit at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) forms the basis for further capacity building by this project. The infrastructure for conducting a series of pharmacologic studies will be enhanced, and training will be given to clinical and laboratory personnel. The studies will be conducted by two PhD students, one in Uganda and one in Rwanda, supported by Master students. The participation of several scientists with a strong expertise in pharmacological research ensures that these young scientists receive optimal supervision. Patients will be recruited at the IDI and Mulago Hospital in Kampala and the Treatment and Research for AIDS Center (TRAC) and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK) in Rwanda, but also at primary health care centres. They will be admitted and closely observed during the studies. Several of these studies are closely linked to those of project H (treatment of malaria in pregnancy). The health centres staff will be trained in conducting this type of studies. |
