Public trust and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign: lessons from the Philippines as it emerges from the Dengvaxia controversy.

While the entire world prepares and begins to roll out COVID-19 vaccines, the Philippines is still reeling from the consequences of the Dengvaxia controversy in 2016. Those highly political events led to the erosion of public trust in leaders and a significant damage to vaccine confidence in the country, now potentially impacting the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. We discuss how public trust and confidence can be rehabilitated through accountability, transparency, and proper communication from the most trusted sources of the population. We also highlight key lessons for policymakers and leaders on allowing science to take the front seat, and politics behind, for the safety and well-being of the people during this public health crisis.

Pain relief optimized by combination mefenamic acid plus sodium lauryl sulfate

Mefenamic acid is a potent analgesic possessing both anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. It is completely absorbed one to two hours after intake. Majority of patients however, expect relief of pain within 15 minutes. A new oral mefenamic acid containing sodium lauryl sulfate with a dissolution rate of 98 per cent in 15 minutes has been introduced. This phase 4 clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the onset of pain relief upon administration of mefenamic acid 500 mg combined with sodium lauryl sulfate. The study was an open, noncomparative clinical trial. Physicians all over the Philippines were asked to fill up a standard 3-page case report form. A total of 2,617 patients with a mean age of 36 years were enrolled. Forty two per cent were males and fifty eight per cent were females. Seventy per cent of patients took the drug every 6-8 hours. Majority (78.38%) reported complete resolution of pain (54.3%) of which occurred within 15 minutes, increasing to 84.93% within 30 minutes). Only 1.12 per cent showed no response. Forty one patients (1.57%) reported minor adverse reactions, majority of whose conditions improved with withdrawal of the drug. The overall assessment of clinical response was very good to excellent in 77.66 percent of patients.(Author)