E-drug: Substitution of Dipyrone (cont'd)
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Re query on Dipyrone, I am appending a portion of a Public Interest
Litigation filed in the Supreme Court of India, based on which
combinations with Dipyrone were banned in India. Interestingly one of
the reasons given by Drug Cos. here against banning the drug was
that such a ban would lead to major losses of foreign exchange for the
country, as huge quantities of the drug are exported from India to the
post-Soviet Republics!
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This drug is a Pyrazolone derivative known as Analgin, Dipyrone or
Metamizole. The drug can cause agranulocytosis, a fatal blood
disease. The drug can also cause frequent eruptions and serious life
threatening cerebral shock. Administration of large doses associated
with renal tubular necrosis, a degenerative disease of the kidneys. Its
use is justified only in serious or life threatening situations where no
alternative is available or suitable, e.g. in the relief of pain in
terminally
ill patients or treatment of hyperpyrexia (temperature of 1060 or
above). These are rare indications. In this country Analgin is used in
trivial cases (can be easily procured over the counter, and is often
used for self-medication) and also in combination with other painkillers
(e.g. Brand name Oxalgin) or antispasmodics (e.g. brand name
Baralgan). The drug needs to be severely restricted and combinations
containing Dipyrones should be banned. Following are some standard
references :
- MARTINDALE, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, Thirteenth Ed. (1994)
"Uses and Administration : Because of the risk of serious adverse
effects its use is justified only in serious situations where no
alternative is available or suitable."
- Consolidated list of products whose consumption and/or sale have
been banned, withdrawn, severely restricted or not approved by
Governments (1987). "It has been restricted or banned in the
following countries: Australia, Norway, Philippines, USA, Italy,
Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Germany, Egypt, Israel, Greece,
Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Sweden & Venezuela."
Amit Sen Gupta
National Campaign Committee on Drug Policy
New Delhi, India
ctddsf@vsnl.com
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