Police hunt for herbalist over AIDS drug concoction

Jan 24, 2017

It is alleged that the Senior Four dropout crushes ARVs taken from patients and mixes them herbs to produce a concoction he in turn supplies to the patients at a cost

The Police in Mityana and National Drug Authority (NDA) are hunting for a self-styled herbalist only identified as Joseph, who is alleged to be concocting AIDS drugs.

The herbalist was discovered when TASO officials were investigating reasons their clients' viral load was too high yet they were on medication.

The patients reportedly told the team that Joseph takes away their ARVS and gives them herbal medicine at a fee of sh500,000 a dose.

It is alleged that Joseph crushes the ARVs and mixes them herbs to produce a concoction he in turn supplies to the patients.

"During our visits, we found out that some clients' viral load was high yet they were on medication. When we investigated, we were shocked to find out that there is a herbalist who convinces them that if they keep taking ARVs, chances of dying are high but with his herbal medicine, they would live longer," an official of TASO at Mulago told New Vision.

The official said that some patients claimed that whenever they take the herbal medicine, they get more relief and that was reason they had given up taking the ARVs.

"We reported the matter to the Police. We went to the man's home in Mityana but we did not find him. We found out that he is a Senior Four dropout," the official added.

Mark Kamanzi, the National Drug Authority legal manager, told New Vision that they were investigating the matter.

Dangers of mixing medicines

Dr Winnie Namuddu of Nyago Medical Center said it is discouraged for a patient using anti-retroviral drugs to take herbs.

"Taking herbal and modern medicine at the same time could lower the metabolism (how fast the drug works or is absorbed) of the drug. If the drug stays in the body beyond the time it is supposed to, the higher the chances of developing side-effects. Therefore, you need to tell your doctor what you are taking. ARVs work effectively on their own," said Namuddu.

Dr Peter Kiwalabye of Kasawo Health Centre says it is risky for patients on ARVs to take herbal medication.

He said since the ingredient in herbs is not known, the herbal concoction could result into under-dosage and worsen the patient's condition.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});