E-drug: selfmedication policies, guidelines, EDL? (cont'd)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[E-druggers, please do remember that you need to add an address
and affiliation under your contributions. So, please add a signature
file, so that moderators don't need to search that in old E-drug
messages. And sometimes don't find... HH]
Peter,
I suspect some words have been put into my mouth re the
cost-effectiveness statement. I won't nit pick on this occasion but I
have to say that I don't rate cost-effective analyses too seriously in
the field of health.
If information on self medication is being sought towards
developing policies on the subject, stock should be taken of several
issues. These should include a review of experience with good
reference tools (e.g. David Werners') which may well prove to be
variable for a variety of reasons as well as current practice within
the communities of interest. Ways to improve the use of such tools
would need to be considered given the identified limiting factors
which are likely to include the tools themselves, the level and
quality of individual literacy, community (social) and service
support.
Conflicts of interest are important. Recent moves for
pharmaceutical companies to work directly with and advertise their
products to the general public need to be considered.
I imagine everyone would share a loathing for dependence on health
professionals where they prove to be incompetent, corrupt or
simply uncaring. However, and for those who find themselves with
anything other than minor health complaints, searches for health
workers, doctors, health centres and hospitals become coupled with
events where prayers are made, and life savings handed over.
We still have not found solutions in creating leadership structures
that are accountable and equitably serve and care for people.
Perhaps this has something to do with leaders of our societies
(ourselves included) not being educated to live well ourselves. In
my view it is this kind of malalignment that reflects on all spheres
of development work.
(No answers..but always looking!)
Best wishes and over and out from me.
Fawzia Rasheed
e-mail: rasheedf@bluewin.ch
--
Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.
Information and archive http://satellife.healthnet.org/programs/edrug.html
Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'.
For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.