The Board Chairperson National Drug Authority, Dr Medard Bitekyerezo, has said that the Authority is committed as an entity to funding research in drug-related areas, especially herbal medicine.
Bitekyerezo made the revelation on Wednesday during the 17th annual Mbarara University of Science and Technology Research Dissemination conference at the Lake View Hotel in Mbarara city.
During the Conference organized under the Theme: maximization of research translation and Evidence-based practice in science, Technology and Community development, a total of 110 pieces of research were given out.
Bitekyerezo who was the Key Note Speaker at the dissemination said that as an entity they believe in formulations that are guided by research especially on local herbs in this country, to extract medicinal drugs.
He said they have earmarked 700 million annually for training to facilitate research, which is related to herbal medicine in this country.
Dr Celestine Obua the Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology asked for more funds to be invested in research, especially those focusing on science considering the many applications from people who want to do research.
He said as an institute the government gives them little money leaving them at the mercy of philanthropists, grants and donations noting that for simple research to be done effectively one needs between 7 and 20 million shillings.
Prof Jessica Haberer from Harvard Medical School and the director of research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston US said that it takes a village and a lot of funding and mentorship for one to become a researcher noting that every researcher and institution researching needs to recognize the value of solutions in the public.