Page 99 - Research & Innovation Report 2020

HEALTH SCIENCES

from high level research on opioid usage, to Vitamin D, to our • Dr Ashmitha Munasur-Naidoo’s PhD topic was: “Evaluating the
National Health Insurance, to pharmacoeconomics, to Attention extent of diagnosis and treatment of adult Attention-Deficit/
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)”. Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in South Africa”.

As a master’s student Prof Truter was appointed by Prof Wiseman “We still don’t know enough about the diagnosis and treatment
as a contract researcher in DURU in 1994 and a full-time lecturer of adult ADHD since ADHD research has predominantly
in pharmacy in 1995. “In 2015, with funding from Sweden, the focused on children,” Prof Truter explains. Munasur-Naidoo
inaugural meeting of the Medicine Utilisation Research in Africa did a standalone survey of all the literature published on adult
Group (MURIA), took place in the University’s International Office ADHD and then did a survey on its diagnosis and support
boardroom,” she explains. “We hosted the first MURIA meeting systems. She found that the diagnosis of adult ADHD is not
with about 20 people and subsequently started publishing in always formalised and sufficient support systems are not
African groups – with five to ten authors.” always in place for adults with ADHD.

Today there is a network of approximately 150 researchers and • Dr Judith Regnart’s research topic was: “Substance use disorder
clinicians in Africa involved in research within MURIA. An African in adult patients with co-morbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Regional Interest Group of the ISPE was also established and the Disorder and mood disorders: a psycho-pharmacological
first joint conference of MURIA and ISPE was held in June 2021. analysis”.

DURU at Nelson Mandela University is also thriving. Regnart’s research looked at people who are treated for
“Pharmacoepidemiology is inherently a multi- and trans-disciplinary various psychological conditions, to see how many of them
field, spanning, inter alia, clinical pharmacology, management, have undiagnosed ADHD. If diagnosed at a younger age, it is
economics and biostatistics,” Prof Truter explains. “DURU’s feasible that many of the problems people experience later in
research contributes to innovation and the digital economy, with life could be avoided or reduced in severity. Adults with ADHD
specific reference to Big Data and the establishment of databases generally tend to be disorganised, hyperactive, prone to
in Africa for drug utilisation research to examine how institutions, substance abuse, demonstrate impulsive behaviour and may
policies, regulations and human skills can be transformed to keep struggle to concentrate and maintain jobs or relationships.
up with the quickening pace of digital transformation in Africa.”
Truter started focusing on ADHD 15 years ago when she
In 2020 three PhD students graduated from DURU: was researching Ritalin – a medication used to treat ADHD.
She works in collaboration with Professor Anneke Meyer, a
• Dr Neelaveni Padayachee, whose research topic was: “Utilisation retired psychologist from the University of Limpopo and a
of over-the-counter medicines in medical schemes in South research associate in DURU. Their research – and that of their
Africa”. Prof Truter co-promoted with Wits University, where Dr postgraduates – feeds into the International Collaboration on
Padayachee graduated. ADHD and Substance Abuse (ICASA), based in the Netherlands:
another example of how far the DURU has reached out from its
The other two PhDs from Nelson Mandela University both looked small beginnings.
at adult ADHD:

“Pharmacoepidemiology is inherently

a multi- and trans-disciplinary field,

spanning, inter alia, clinical pharmacology,

management, economics and biostatistics.”

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