The Role of Nanoparticles as Nanocarriers for the Controlled Release of some Potential Existing Antiviral Drugs for SARS-CoV-2 Management: A Review

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared the outbreak and spread of the new strain of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS--CoV-2) a global pandemic. In this regard, a lot of scientific investigations and clinical trials on some existing antiviral and antibiotic drugs have been ongoing to combat this menace. Method(s): In the past, conventional drug therapy has shown irregular drug distribution, poor solubil-ity, and low permeability to target cells, organs, and tissues. However, Chloroquine, Hydrox-ychloroquine Remdesivir, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, etc. have attracted several investigations in mono-therapeutic approaches and a combination of therapy have shown promising effects in reducing viral loading in some SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Nevertheless, the advent of nanomedicine has triggered serious attention on drug-loaded nanoparticle as nanocarriers to deliver bioactive drug molecules to target organs with increased circulation and controlled release. Therefore, the application of nanoparticles as nanocarriers for the controlled release of antiviral drugs would improve the ease of drug administration and care of patients admitted at various health care facilities world-wide. Conclusion(s): Owing to their small sizes, biocompatibility, and high encapsulation properties, nano-particles can be utilized as potential nanocarrier of antiviral drugs for the SARS-CoV-2 management at a reduced cost with minimal side effect in the body system. In addition, some noticeable concerns on the ongoing management of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in developing nations have been presented for concerted attention.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.

Impact of Pharmaceutical Waste Generation and Handling on Environmental Health in Developing Countries: COVID - 19 Pandemic in Perspective!

AJOL Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel Covid-19 pandemic currently ravaging the world as a global mishap due to its wide-spreading across different nations. As the number of confirmed cases continues to increase daily, there will be a great need for the delivery of pharmaceutical palliatives to developing nations for them to manage the situation. Most pharmaceutical supplies used in many developing countries such as test kits and protective suits are a complex mixture of toxic and non-degradable compounds that are improperly disposed into open dump sites. The increase in Covid-19 cases and strategic attention to grapple will lead to multiple waste generation problems, thereby posing another health risk if not properly handled and disposed. In this review, we have highlighted the composition, categories, and hazards associated with pharmaceutical wastes and also appraised the current disposal practices and recommended some appropriate disposal methods of these associated wastes

Food security and safety concerns in animal production and public health issues in Africa: A perspective of COVID-19 pandemic era.

The impact of COVID-19 on food security can best be understood from the downturn on agricultural and other related economic activities which were almost brought to a total halt during the pandemic. The restriction of movement/lockdown policy instituted by various governments heavily affected local and national food production as farmers could not go to their farmlands. More so, there was price gouging on raw food items as local farmers were reducing cultivation and harvest because of their safety. The lockdown also affected the transportation of food products from farms and local companies to the market and across inter-state/province borders. Additionally, many human infections traceable to disease outbreak from animal origin suggest a great risk of exposure to infectious agents by live animal farmers. In combating this menace, local food production needs to be encouraged more, while measures should be put in place to facilitate farmer's participation in government regulations on enforcing biosecurity, health standards, disease monitoring, and surveillance practices.

L'impact de la COVID-19 sur la sécurité alimentaire peut être mieux compris à partir du ralentissement des activités agricoles, et autres activités économiques connexes, qui ont été presque totalement interrompues pendant la pandémie. La restriction des déplacements et le verrouillage institué par les différents gouvernements ont fortement affecté la production alimentaire locale et nationale, les agriculteurs ne pouvant plus se rendre sur leurs terres. De plus, les prix des produits alimentaires bruts ont été réduits, car les agriculteurs locaux ont réduit leurs cultures et leurs récoltes en raison de leur sécurité. Le blocage a également affecté le transport des produits alimentaires des fermes et des entreprises locales vers le marché et au-delà des frontières entre les États et les provinces. En outre, de nombreuses infections humaines, dont on peut retracer l'origine animale, suggèrent un grand risque d'exposition des éleveurs d'animaux vivants à des agents infectieux. Pour lutter contre cette menace, il convient d'encourager davantage la production alimentaire locale, tout en mettant en place des mesures visant à faciliter la participation des agriculteurs aux réglementations gouvernementales relatives à l'application de la biosécurité, des normes sanitaires, du suivi des maladies et des pratiques de surveillance.