New drug in the offing

Health Reporter
A new cancer drug believed to have lesser side-effects, less toxins and effective in treatment of all types of cancer is set to be rolled out in the country soon. National Cancer Alliance of Zimbabwe executive director Dr Nelson Ngwaru, who is spearheading its introduction in Zimbabwe, said he had since held talks with some oncologists and doctors on the possibilities of introducing the cancer immunotherapy from China in the country.

“We agreed that once we are done with the registration process with the Medical Control Authority of Zimbabwe, which is now almost halfway done, it will then be tried on willing patients to determine its effectiveness,” said Dr Ngwaru.

He said MCAZ’s decision on use of the drug in Zimbabwe is expected by the end of this week.

Dr Ngwaru said Cancure Clinics, which developed the drug, had already expressed commitment to providing free drugs for patients on trials. The drug, called Chinmanna, was developed by Cancure Clinics, said chief executive officer Dr Parminder Kaur.