E-drug: Poorly treated infantile diarrhoea
---------------------------------------------
Poorly treated infantile diarrhoea.
A study regarding the mismanagement of infantile diarrhoea in France
and an appeal for an exchange of information on this issue.
Several dozen children die, even in France, from diarrhoea and
dehydration. PIMED (Pour une Information Ethique et le
Developpement), working with MaLAM and HAI, conducted the study:
(1) several recent studies were analysed in order to obtain an
objective overview. (2) It was found that only one doctor out of three
in France prescribes Oral Rehydrating Salt (ORS) when treating an
infant for diarrhoea. They generally prefer to treat with medication,
which usually proves ineffective or even potentially toxic (WHO
published a brochure in several languages, including French, advising
against the use of these treatments). (3) The laboratories, as well as
the prescribers and the French authorities all share the responsibility
for the problem. PIMED called this to the attention of the French
authorities, which have simply contented themselves with reinforcing
the recommendation for ORS in the Vidal (medical dictionary) and on
documentation distributed with medication for treatment of diarrhoea.
It is a very small move. Unlike other anti-diarrhoea treatments, whose
efficacy still stands to be proven, ORS is not classified as
"medication" in France and therefore is not reimbursed by the Securite
Sociale (French public health insurance program). PIMED is calling for
an exchange of ideas on how best to improve the present situation in
France and in other countries of the world, in particular the
French-speaking countries of Africa.
Bernard Topuz
President of PIMED
e-mail: Doctopuz@aol.com
(1) PIMED "Diarhees infantiles et medicaments anti-diarrheiques en
France" 70 pages, available at 70FF from PIMED, 24 quai de la
Loire Paris 75019, fax 01 42 41 80 60
(2) Revue Prescrire 1998 no 186 557-558: "Mauvaise prise en
charge de la diarrhee infantile en France, un veritable scandale
sanitaire" B Topuz.
(3) WHO 1992 Geneva "Rational use of medication in the treatment
of severe infantile diarrhoea" 73 pages.
--
Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.
Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'.
For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.