E-drug: Essential drugs missing from market
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Essential drugs missing from market
By Our Reporter
http://www.dawn.com/2002/10/30/nat9.htm
ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Patients are facing tremendous difficulties due
to non-availability of a number of essential drugs, claimed a civil
society organization working for the consumer rights here on Tuesday.
A recent survey conducted by The Network for Consumer Protection
reveals that 25 important drugs, including those for high blood
pressure, epilepsy, asthmas, malarial, angina, antibiotics and
immuno-suppressants, are either not available or in short supply in
the market. These 25 drugs have been included in the National
Essential Drugs list prepared by the health ministry.
The organization has asked the health ministry to take immediate
action for solving the chronic problem of non-availability of
essential drugs and provide relief to the patients.
Azhar Hussain, project coordinator (pharmaceuticals) of The Network,
claimed that they had been monitoring the supply of essential
medicines since 1996 and had been persuading the ministry to resolve
the root cause of this persistent problem. The organization also
moved the Wafaqi Mohtasib in 1997 and in 2001.
In his recommendations of June 17, 2002, the Federal Ombudsman
observed that the shortage of essential drugs was "unfortunately a
persistent phenomena which needs a constant action by all concerned.
For this it is important that NGO's resources on information in
respect of failure of supply are properly utilised by the health
ministry through an effective cooperation and liaison for the common
good and welfare of the people."
Mr Hussain also claimed that the ombudsman had also directed the
ministry to discuss technical aspects of the issue with the Network.
The ministry, however, never took any step to comply with these
recommendations, he said. He maintained that the ministry and the
pharmaceutical industry were bound to ensure uninterrupted supply of
registered drugs under the Drugs Act 1976 (Licensing, Registration,
and Advertising), section 4 which says, "Every registered drug shall
be
produced in sufficient quantity so as to ensure its regular and
adequate supply in the market". And the section 5 says, "the
manufacturer of any drug shall not, without prior approval of the
registration board, be discontinued for a period which may result in
its shortage".
"It is understandable that the industry may not be interested in
providing these drugs for marketing reasons, but why can't the
ministry assert its role in ensuring basic public health, it is most
shocking", he said.
Essential drugs, according to the World Health Organization, are
those which are time-tested for efficacy and safety, are cheap and
can treat vast
majority of diseases prevailing in any country. These drugs must
always be available as they are 'Essential' for health care.
Mr Hussain described the non-availability of any of these drugs as a
"major public health issue" and asked the ministry to ensure
immediate supply of these drugs in the market to alleviate sufferings
of the sick, specially the poor, that have nowhere to turn to.
He urged the pharmaceutical industry and the government to start
delivering on their statutory roles without any further delay. When
contacted the health ministry officials they
were not available for comments.
Azhar Hussain
Project Coordinator Pharmaceuticals
TheNetwork for Consumer Protection
Pakistan
azhar@thenetwork.org.pk
url:http://www.thenetwork.org.pk
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