New technology for drug safety screening

Nov 04, 2015

Ministry of health has called on investors into the health care system to work with Mulago hospital to address the increasing cases of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases in the country

By Carol Kasujja

Ministry of health has called on investors into the health care system to work with Mulago hospital to address the increasing cases of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases in the country.


The call was made by the permanent secretary in the ministry of health, Dr.Asuman Lukwago at the launch of the new health care system that will help doctors trace and manage chronic diseases in the country.

The new technology Drug Safety Software Machine launched recently by Buffalo Health care in Kabalagala,  a Kampala suburb, that will improve the management of chronic diseases among patients in Uganda.  Photo by Shamim Saad.

“Investors interested in the health sector should consider partnering with the Uganda heart Institute, Cancer institute so that providers and patients in these areas can utilize this world class platform for the good of the patients,” said Lukwago.

The new technology under the brand name Buffalo Healthcare is a new drug safety screening technology that will improve the management of chronic diseases among patients in addition to their medications.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Asuman Lukwago (Right) and the Managing Director, Buffalo Dr David Mukanga (Left) during the unveiling of the new technology Drug Safety Software Machine at Kabalagala,  a Kampala suburb recently. Photo by Shamim Saad


Dr.David Mukanga, the brain behind the new health care system, explains that the technology will help healthcare providers and patients to quickly identify drug to drug and drug to food reactions as well as allergies.

“Through the technology doctors will be in position to provide detailed information on medications and reinforce information on prevention and personal management of the conditions as a patient,” said Dr.Mukanga,

Multiple reports show that adverse drug reactions and prescriptions errors are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.

In UK,it is estimated by the general medical council that 1 in 20 prescriptions have an error with over 50% of these moderate to severe.

“Tools that allow prescribers and those dispensing medicine to quickly check on the accuracy of medication for a condition, will help leaders to safety combining drugs dosage and other attributes hence saving patients life.

Mukanga, a pharmacist and epidemiology by training, said that given the small healthcare provided to the population ratio, providers don’t spend more time with patients to understand, counsel and give them information to manage their conditions.

“Patients will be given chance to interact with patients to re-enforce the information provided by doctors and other, but also double check prescription for accuracy,” he added.

He further explained that drug interactions occur when a drug interact so interferes with another drug which can alter the way both drugs act in the body in many cases causing unexpected side effects.

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