E-drug: Round Table in Moldova
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Press - release
The round table held in Chisinau, July 28, 1998 by the Information
Pharmacological Center "DRUGS", was devoted to side effects of
pharmaceuticals.
In this meeting took part representatives of National Institute of
Pharmacy, State Medical and Pharmaceutical University of Moldova, health
care professionals and pharmacists. The round table was lighted up by
national TV, radio and other mass media.
"Unfortunately, the National Institute of Pharmacy today does not make
registration and analysis of adverse reactions of medicines, - noted
professor K. Matkovskii. When prescribing medicines, health care
professionals are guided only by the abstracts submitted by pharmaceutical
company, which not always objectively reflects the side-effect information.
The absence of the educational program for the patients and consumers
results in the patients being afraid of the authentic, unbiased information
reflected in the medicinal instructions, and trusting the instruction which
states that the drug has no side-effects".
The pharmacist Mrs. L. Razborski considers, that there should be two
abstracts (data sheets? KM, moderator): for health care professionals - in
complete volume, and for the patients - in the reduced version, stating the
expire date and storage conditions. Not always only bad quality of a
medicine can provide adverse reactions. Today in Moldova the small private
drugstores frequently store medicines in inappropriate places, warehouses
and garages, that results in absorption by medicines of extraneous, harmful
substances. The storage in such conditions can result in development of
serious adverse reactions. The professor P. Mogorianu pointed the
participant's attention to a problem of simultaneously prescribed many drugs
to one patient. It often leads to complications. Having limited financial
resources, health professionals, frequently simultaneously prescribe large
number of preparations. The health care professional should realize that the
stronger and more active a drug is, the more likely it is to produce
side-effects.
Madam E. Talmasan, representative of National Institute of Pharmacy offered
to revive system of side-effect registration, existing up to the 90-s'
years, through the clinical pharmacists.
The manager of anesthesiology department of the Center of mother and child
protection, Mrs. V. Latichevskaia explained, that the health
professionals constantly record adverse reactions, making notes in
histories of illness. The separate cases are taken out for discussion on
medical conferences. But, unfortunately, such valuable information remains
inside clinic, but could, in opinion of Mrs. V.Latichevskaia, be of benefit
to clinics in different regions of Republic.
Mrs. V. Lizunov and Mrs. M. Bantia emphasized the important role of the
pharmacist in the prevention of complications arising as a result of
prescribing high doses of drug by the treating doctors.
The doctor S. Malanco said, that the health professionals do not aspire to
report side-effects because of professional pride and fear of reaction by
administration of hospital. On the other hand absence of a computer network
in hospitals does not allow quick access to the unbiased drug information
and consequences of its application.
The participants of the Round Table developed suggestions, implementation of
which will allow to create the information and educational program on
side-effects of pharmaceuticals.
The basic components of the Program:
Creation of a system of registration and analysis of side-effects of
medicines in Moldova by the Information Pharmacological Center "DRUGS".
Issue monthly bulletin with the information about side-effects in Moldova
and abroad.
Arrange seminars for the health care professionals, and a cycle of
educational programs, devoted to side-effects, on radio and TV.
Together with the doctors and pharmacists develop the side-effect
registration form using training and questionnaires.
Taking into consideration, that the main goal of the program is collection
og information with the aim to prevent side-effect recurrence, not to punish
the health professionals, prescribed pharmaceutical, we decided to take into
account also anonymous reports.
The main role in the collection of the information can be provided to
clinical pharmacists and pharmacologists, and also to various health care
professionals.
In opinion of the Information Pharmacological Center "DRUGS", the
realization of such wide program is not possible without cooperation and
financial support from official bodies and international foundations. As a
first step on the way of solution of the problem, the Center has offered
realization of a pilot project " Safe Pharmaceuticals in Moldova " within 3
months.
Goal of the project - collection of the side-effect information revealed in
different regions of Moldova by the participants of the project.
Conditions of participation in the Project:
The participants of the Project on a voluntary basis will report to the
"DRUGS" monthly about revealed side-effects and develop a side-effect
registration form. In turn Center gives to the participants of the Project
the priority right on reception the additional information about
side-effects and interaction of pharmaceuticals.
Natalia Cebotarenco, Ph.D.
Director of the IPC "DRUGS",
#90; Moscow ave, 13/3;=20
Chisinau, 2068, Moldova
Tel. (3732) 73-83-48
E-mail natalie@drugs.mldnet.com
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