The Retail Pharmacists Association (RPA) is a professional association whose members are community pharmacists. Pharmacists are the custodians and specialists of medicines. One of their roles is to educate the public on the correct and safe use of medicines and medicinal products. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dec 2019 a lot of unconfirmed claims and reports have been made with regards the treatment and management of the disease.
Currently, there is NO PROVEN CURE for COVID-19. However, a number of studies are being carried out to try and find a cure. Be that as it may, there are some supplements that may be used that help to boost one’s immunity (mapiritsi anosimbisa masoja emumuviri).
Some of the recommended supplements are:
- Vitamin C, 2. Vitamin D, 3. Vitamin B Complex, and 4. Zinc tablet; and they should be taken at recommended doses. (PLEASE DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMENDED DOSES)
- Paracetamol is to be taken when one has pain or fever, (kupisa muviri) or both. [Do not take for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor or pharmacist]
There are some medicines which are being discussed on social media in relation to Covid-19 treatment, and they are only available on a doctor’s prescription. Some of those medicines can cause serious side effects when they are used incorrectly. We should remember that Covid-19 infection is a serious disease, and the use of inappropriate medication can make the patient worse or result in unwarranted loss of life. These medicines which are being discussed in social media are actually being used under medical supervision, as they are being tested and monitored for effectiveness in the treatment of Covid-19 disease (i.e. in clinical trials).
As your pharmacists, we are highly advising that people should not take these prescription medicines without a valid prescription from the doctor. Further, people must not self-medicate at home. Kindly visit your doctor or call your doctor when feeling unwell. Visit your pharmacist if you require the supplements listed above.
Do not take any medicines for the management or treatment of COVID-19 without discussing with your doctor or pharmacist.
Finally, to reduce chances of catching or transmitting covid-19 infection, we highly recommend people to keep warm (in this winter), always wear face masks correctly, practise good hand hygiene, practise physical (social) distancing, avoid unnecessary movement, eat lots of vegetables & fruits, drink adequate fluids, and seek medical care when unwell. Patients who are on chronic medications, such as people with diabetes, hypertension (BP), asthma, and any condition where they must take their medicines every day, they should always take their medicines as advised by their doctors or pharmacists.
Source: Retail Pharmacists Association