E-DRUG: specific drug safety issues for developing countries (2)
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I hope that participants at the meeting will reflect a bit on the
management and supply aspects of drugs which have a bearing on safety. In
other words, the inherent threats to safety due to the nature of the
chemical entity, must be distinguished from the threats due to irrational
use, indeed poor access which often leads to underground, illicit or some
other irresponsible use of drugs. I have said before in this forum that the
continuing "poor access" to drugs, especially for diseases of critical
public health concern,(HIV, malaria, TB etc..) is a wake up call for all of
us concerned with effective drug treatment.
Secondly, I have often wondered how much of the exceedingly high maternal
mortality rates in many developing countries, might be drug safety related.
Last week, an e-drugger referred to "serious problems connected with the
use of spinal lidocaine 5%". Although it was not clear whether this was use
related to labour, the moderator's comments made me imagine that there
could be a routine use of this drug to "make life easy" in some
circumstances! It will be useful, I think, if the meeting will consider
drug safety, in the area of "Making Pregnancy Safer"
If you need more information or indeed if you have any in this area , I
shall be delighted to share with you.
Good Luck to the meeting
Murtada M Sesay
Essential Drugs and other Medicines
WHO
Geneva
Email: sesaym@who.ch [added by moderator WB]
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