Geneith’s Camosunate and World Malaria Day

Geneith’s Camosunate and World Malaria Day

Among pharmaceutical companies with research and development initiatives in Nigeria today is Geneith Pharmaceuticals. Incorporated in the year 2000 as a private limited liability company, the main business of the company is distribution of drugs and pharmaceuticals with standards above the bar, in the quest for value additions to the health and quality of life of Nigerians. The Company’s products, including Camosunate ACT Anti-Malarial, its flagship brand, are all NAFDAC registered and currently sourced from various overseas pharmaceutical Companies with GMP certification. Geneith’s impacts and contributions has been asserted and confirmed with several awards such as Best Malaria Management Drug Award conferred on Camosunate by African Products Award 2002, and West African Best Malaria Award, also conferred on Camosunate by the West African Direct marketing Award in 2007.

In this brief Chat, The MD/CEO of the Geneith Pharmaceuticals Mr. Emmanuel Umenwa sheds more light on Geneith, Camosunate and World Malaria Day.

Tell us about Camosunate anti-malarial drug from Geneith?

 Camosunate is just one of several other quality brands in our product portfolio. It comes in 4 age ranges, “Camosunate Adult” (above 14yrs), “Camosunate Junior” (7-13 yrs), our flagship “Camosunate 1-6 yrs” and “Camosunate“less than 1 year”. This makes the product available across the whole family age ranges conforming  with the WHO guideline for each of the components. 

   What special qualities distinguish Camosunate from the myriad of other anti-malarial drugs in Nigerian market today?

Camosunate is an ACT containing Artesunate and Amodiaquine. This is a front line recommendation by WHO. Camosunate adult and Junior comes in tablets. The Tablets are coated to mask the bitter taste of the Amodiaquine. This enhances overall compliance. The dose ranges for children and neonates are formulated in easily dissolvable granules. This confers to it a unique dissolution and absorption profile. The Paediatric preparations are also vanilla flavoured, this suppresses the bitter after taste associated with quinine based products. The children products are packaged in unit dose sachets. This eliminates storage and stability challenges. Degradation by hydrolysis is eliminated as there is no need to store water reconstituted products. Above all the product is affordable.

 The World Malaria Day is around the corner, in what ways is Camosunate creating awareness on how we can fight malaria?

We are reaching out to the public via our customer data base and various social media. We are running a malarial awareness programmed on all our social media platforms (Website, Facebook and Twitter).  As a company committed to the well being of the populace  Geneith is providing information on malaria prevention using these media.  For the week leading to this day, hospitals and pharmacies get special discount on all our anti-malarial products.

 

Does Camosunate have any side effects?   

Well like every drug, Camosunate has side effects, even though they are highly minimized and controlled and they are mostly transient and manageable. The most common side effect is the lethargic effect due to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This is usually taken care of by taking Camosunate with a sugar rich medium, like glucose drink or starchy meals. Camosunate does not itch. This lethargic side effect is predominantly observed in adults. The adult doses are taken twice daily to further reduce the side effects.

      
     Who should not take Camosunate?

Camosunate as I mentioned earlier is for the whole family and the safety margin is quite commendable. In a recent study carried out in Benin, Dr. U U Uyagu and Proffessor Omagborale both of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital confirmed the efficacy and safety of Camosunate. However we still advice that patients consult their doctors in special circumstances such as pregnancy. 

The national policy on malaria treatment stipulates Artesimisin combination therapy. Is Camosunate compliant with this stipulation?

Yes, Camosunate is an Artemisin Combining Therapy (ACT) antimalarial drug containing Artesunate and Amodiaquine. This is a front line recommendation by World Health Organization, (WHO).

There are reports of malaria parasite resistance to ACT drugs, with some people returning to chloroquine. How does this relate to Camosunate?

Camosunate has a unique advantage of having a relatively long half life of above 30 days. This longer lasting effect provides for longer protection of Camosunate and as such leaves little room for relapse which usually leads to resistance.

Tell us about Geneith’s CSR initiatives with Camosunate?

Corporate Social responsibly (CSR) is one policy very dear to our heart at GENEITH PHARMACEUTICALS. We have periodically identified with the hopes and aspirations of several medical associations with generous donations of our Camosunate anti-malarial products. We have sponsored educational activities and created awareness in our immediate environment. We provide support for annual Inter-house sports activities in secondary and primary schools in our immediate environment. Researches for public benefits have been sponsored by our company.

 What other OTC or ethical drugs are marketed by GENEITH?

In our product portfolio are several high quality products spanning various genres of drugs including but not limited to antibiotics (Nosclav ranges), (Amodiaquine/clavulanic acid) including the Children friendly Nosclav DT, Pulmocef (Ceftriaxone), Antimalarial (Camosunate, Coatal, Gilanox), Analgesics (Tramed caps and injection), Tribact cream, Irondex among other products.

 Ebola Virus is ravaging the West African countries for the past one month, is GENEITH concerned?

As a responsible cooperate organization, we are concerned about this current challenges of ebola virus. Even though we have no antiviral products per say but by interactions with our customers, we preach proper hygiene which limits person to person transmission.

Tweet

A Day in France

A Day in France Enacting French Style Wine Presentation and Tasting On Nigerian Soil
 

It was a gathering of class and dignity with the top of the cream of Abuja society in attendance. Venue was at the Cross Rivers/Imo /Rivers Hall at the second floor of the Prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Saturday the 12th of April 2014. Guests which included A-List members among the titans of the world of business and politics were treated to the finest of refined French Wine Culture at a special presentation by Wine and Things Vineyard Collections. It was an occasion in which the company (Wines and Things Limited) had in a most class distinguishing manner, an expose of their most exclusive wine collections, showcased to prospective and established clients, wine collectors and connoisseurs.

Highlight of the unforgettable event was classy complementary foods put together by Hilton’s top French chef that was specially chosen to create traditional French food pairing for the wines on show, in water-tight French Culinary standards. There were also natural French goblets for the wines as well as real French wine tasting ambience specially created at the venue.

There was also classy music, cool camaraderie and a perfectly relaxed atmosphere at the venue while guests tasted the wines and gourmet foods, mixing it with business networking discussions as always, in a stress free manner. It was an evening of fun, food, wine and pleasurable connections all the way.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Wines and Things Limited, Mr Nzekwe Iheanyi Ken explained that the company will host wine tasting events at regular periods to better educate the Nigerian public about wines to enhance their appreciation of wines. Their focus is to create delightful wine experience via knowledge and information sharing about wines. Wines and Things Limited aims to use periodic events and targeted activities to properly inform and educate personnel involved in selling and serving wine in the hospitality industry amongst others.

The events will create a class distinction for the collection of wines distributed by Wines and Things Limited by associating it with pure French wine culture on Nigerian soil. The CEO explained that the wines distributed by Wines and Things Limited, were of a most exclusive collection, hard to come by, even in France itself! However, the company also purveys wines from other great wine regions of the world especially Spain, Italy as well as USA. In starting the tasting experience with French wines, the company aims to establish the fact that France is the source of most wine making vines, grown all over the world and therefore the primary home of the world’s best wines.

The premium selection of wines tasted at the event were chosen by very experienced wine merchant , Michael Berkowitch and supported by Romain Montognac , a major wine producer, both of whom flew in from France for the occasion.

Among the 12 exclusive wines tasted and showcased at the event were: Chateau Grand Pey Lescours, (Saint Emilion Grand Cru) a soft, generous wine with great finesse. TASTING: Grand-Pey-Lescours presents very perfumed notes of black fruits and undergrowth. Very fine and supple on the palate. FOOD & WINE PAIRING : Risotto with truffles & mushrooms, Coq-au-vin, grilled rib steak, duck magret, Cheeses : Brie de Meaux, Camembert Dessert : chocolate pie, peach melba.

Cabernet Sauvignon Vin De Languedoc, TASTING, This wine has a very deep and dark colour. It is full-bodied, ample, solid and quite massive. Tannins are abundant without being too hard. It reveals a character of intense red fruits, delicate spices and a great sweetness. This wine can be enjoyed for immediate drinking; it will soften if cellared during one year. FOOD & WINE PAIRING: Main course : Quail with grapes or figs, roast lamb, rib roast, osso bucco. Cheeses : Maroilles, Livarot, corsica cheeses,Dessert : Black cherry clafoutis, chocolate pie.

The Wine and Things Company is a wine merchant based in Nigeria. The company is focused on sourcing exceptionally fine wines from all over the world, thus putting together a robust collection from the best wine regions around the globe, for the Nigerian Market. Located at plot 2 Oriwu Street Lekki Phase-I Lagos, the company is staffed with a team of highly experienced and consistently attentive professionals who are passionate about giving true value to customers.  


~ By Mr. Ingram Adichie Osigwe  
MD/CEO Fullpage International Communications Limited

 Tweet