KMU, Gomal University develop ointment for skin ailment 

PESHAWAR: Researchers from Khyber Medical University (KMU) and Gomal University, D.I. Khan, have successfully developed an indigenous herbal ointment for treating Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL), a debilitating skin disease that has seen a sharp increase in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province in recent years.
Led by Dr. Momin Khan, Associate Professor of Microbiology at KMU, and Dr. Adnan Ameen, Chairman of the Department of Pharmacognosy at Gomal University, the research spanned over five years and yielded promising results in all testing stages, including laboratory (in vitro) and living organism tests (in vivo).
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, caused by the bite of a sand fly, results in severe skin damage and  psychological distress, particularly due to disfigurement on exposed areas like the face. 
As a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), CL is endemic in Pakistan, especially in KP and Balochistan provinces. Current treatment options heavily rely on international aid from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for drug importation and distribution in public hospitals.
Dr. Zia ul Haq, Vice Chancellor of KMU, announced funding for large-scale clinical trials of the new drug at KMU's hospital. Upon successful completion of international approval processes, steps will be taken to commence commercial production, making the drug accessible to thousands of CL patients in KP at an affordable price.
Initial clinical trials at KMU, Gomal University, and in Chakdara, Dir, have reported high patient satisfaction, with notable improvements observed within a month. Unlike the current first-line treatment, Glucantime—which requires painful injections—Leish-Nat Z is a pain-free, topical application.
Patients and healthcare professionals, including pharmacist Fawad, have expressed enthusiasm for the new medicine and called for its large-scale production due to high demand. 
Dr. Adnan Ameen urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to support this initiative to address the substantial number of CL cases in the region.