'Fewer pills improve medication adherence'

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New medications are now available in Uganda to treat hypertension, heart failure, and diabetes, offering patients the benefit of fewer pills, Uganda Diabetes Association president, Dr William Lumu has said.

Lumu says these advanced combination therapies not only reduce the pill burden but also improve patient adherence and lower long-term treatment costs.

He made the remarks at a doctor's symposium on non-communicable disease (NCD) innovations on November 5, 2024, at Hotel Africana in Kampala. The event's theme was: Redefining Clinical Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Uganda.

Lumu revealed that approximately 1.6 million Ugandans suffer from diabetes, with an alarming 50% of those unaware of their condition. He emphasized the importance of regular testing to diagnose the disease early.

He noted that hypertension, often symptomless, affects a large portion of the population: "Ninety per cent of people with high blood pressure show no symptoms" and urged the public to undergo routine check-ups.

The doctor explained the interconnected nature of diabetes and other health issues, such as high blood fat, obesity, and kidney, heart, and sexual dysfunction. 

"Diabetes often requires multiple medications, making it difficult for patients to adhere to treatment. But now we have combination drugs in one tablet that target key problems protecting the heart, kidneys, blood vessels and managing blood pressure," Lumu said. 

"This is a significant step forward, and we hope it will bring down treatment costs."

In addition to medication, Lumu advocated for preventive measures, including avoiding high-fat and high-sugar diets, limiting alcohol, staying active and exercising.

He urged regular medical check-ups and warned against using unproven herbal remedies: "Patients must follow their prescribed treatments," he cautioned, stressing that buying medication without a doctor's prescription can lead to complications beyond the patient’s understanding.

Olaro, the director of curative services at the ministry of health discussing at the Doctors’ Symposium on National Communicable Disease Innovation in Uganda 2024 at Hotel Africana. (Photo by John Odyek)

The growing prevalence NCDs presents a significant challenge to Uganda's healthcare system. In many underserved areas, timely access to modern treatments is limited, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality.

During the symposium, three innovative treatments for NCDs were introduced, to improve care for chronic conditions: Cliniplan Trio, is a fourth-generation antihypertensive combination therapy that manages high blood pressure while protecting vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes.

Dairetin Family (including Diatrin M and Diatrin Trio), a breakthrough in diabetic care, these medications provide stable blood sugar control and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Daptide, is a novel treatment designed to revolutionise the management of chronic diseases, specifically targeting diabetes and hypertension. Daptide offers precise control that mitigates complications affecting the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels.

Dr Charles Olaro, the director of curative services at the health ministry stressed the importance of making these medications both affordable and accessible to the public.

Olaro (Centre), the director of curative services at the ministry of health discussing with Higenyi (Right), the director of technical services at Joint Medical Stores discussing at the Doctors’ Symposium on Non Communicable Disease Innovation in Uganda 2024 at Hotel Africana. (Photo by John Odyek)

Dennis Sennyonjo, the business development manager at C&D Pharma, highlighted the lack of awareness about NCDs in Uganda. He said there is a need for greater public education to combat the rising incidence of these diseases.

Dr Emmanuel Higenyi, the director of technical services at Joint Medical Stores (JMS), underlined the importance of safe, palatable long-term treatments. 

"Patients need medications they can take once a day, not multiple times," Higenyi said. "We want to improve patient adherence and encourage people to stick to their treatment plans," he added.

Dr Robert Kalyesubula, the chairperson of the department of physiology at Makerere University, noted that many people with chronic kidney disease are unaware of their condition.

Dr Charles Lugero, senior cardiologist at the Uganda Heart Institute, pointed out that heart failure cases are on the rise, with high treatment costs exacerbating the burden on patients.

With the introduction of these new therapies, healthcare providers now have better tools to manage complex cases of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.