Drug cuts out amputations

THE EDITOR: Herberprot-P is a medicinal product created in Cuba for use by diabetic patients suffering from the severe complications of foot ulcers, thereby eliminating the need for amputation.

In 2006, the World Health Organisation indicated that the medicine was officially registered in Cuba and subsequently over 30 other countries have done so, making it possible to treat over 100,000 patients, resulting in a high successful rate.

I recall former minister of health Dr Fuad Khan promising, in 2015, to assist in having the product registered in TT by working with the Food and Drug Administration, the department responsible for such action.

Recently the present Minister of Health reminded us that annually there is an average of over 500 amputations of ulcerated limbs of diabetic patients and I am wondering why to this day, Herberprot-P still hasn’t been registered and tried. I would be delighted should the Health Ministry shed some light on the progress of this effort.

OSWALD GALLION, Arima