Thursday, May 31, 2007

Hello Friends,

I was simply overwhelmed with the quality of debate/interaction that we were able to collectively generate after I published my first communication—or indeed a poser, on ‘India Advantage.’

Keeping in view our objective of fostering the spirit of mutual learning and creating a platform for discussing issues that are relevant for all of us, I’m publishing this next bit of communication. I know, like last time round, we all will be able to chip-in with our valuable thoughts on this piece of communication as well.

Very recently I received a mail from a friend of mine. It was a forwarded chain mail that I was about to dump into the waste-bin, but eventually did not do so. Reason? The contents looked serious enough for me and hence I got those checked for their authenticity from another friend--an expert in the field of Pharmacy. I now have his views on the contents, which have been reproduced in the latter part of this communication.

Contents of the chain mail that I received:

Hi… this is important more so for those who take medication without the recommendation of a Doc.


FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND ACTION
Pls Read Very Carefully

India has become a dumping ground for banned drugs; also the business for production of banned drugs is blooming. Plz make sure that u buy drugs only if prescribed by a doctor (Also, ask which company manufactures it, this would help to ensure that u get what is prescribed at the Drug Store) and that also from a reputed drug store. Not many people know about these banned drugs and consume them causing a lot of damage to themselves.

We do forward Jokes and other junk all the time.
This is far more important.

Plz make sure u forward it to everyone u know.

DANGEROUS DRUGS… THESE DRUGS HAVE BEEN GLOBALLY DISCARDED BUT ARE AVAILABLE IN INDIA. The most common ones are D cold, action 500 & Nimulid.

ANALGIN:
This is a pain-killer.
Reason for ban: Bone marrow depression.
Brand name: Novalgin

CISAPRIDE:
Acidity, constipation.
Reason for ban: irregular heartbeat
Brand name: Ciza, Syspride

DROPERIDOL:
Anti-depressant.
Reason for ban: Irregular heartbeat.
Brand name: Droperol

FURAZOLIDONE:
Antidiarrhoeal.
Reason for ban: Cancer.
Brand name: Furoxone, Lomofen

NIMESULIDE:
Painkiller, fever.
Reason for ban: Liver failure.
Brand name: Nise, Nimulid

NITROFURAZONE:
Antibacterial cream.
Reason for ban: Cancer.
Brand name: Furacin

PHENOLPHTHALEIN:
Laxative.
Reason for ban: Cancer.
Brand name: Agarol

PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE:
Cold and cough.
Reason for ban: stroke.
Brand name: D'cold , Vicks Action-500

OXYPHENBUTAZONE:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Reason for ban: Bone marrow depression.
Brand name: Sioril

PIPERAZINE:
Anti-worms.
Reason for ban: Nerve damage.
Brand name: Piperazine

QUINIODOCHLOR:
Anti-diarrhoeal.
Reason for ban: Damage to sight.
Brand name: Enteroquinol

And here is what my friend wrote to me—Since I have not taken his explicit permission to quote his name, I’ve not disclosed his name over here:

Dear Abhay,

Unfortunately this is correct!

Our DCGI in Delhi is far less stringent than even a country like Bangladesh! Most of these drugs have gone off the shelves in Bangladesh years back as the Government banned them!

MNC drug lobbies as well as some big Indian players have a lot of clout and are able to prolong the Product Life Cycle in India. The usual gyan given to the public is that the continuation is justified in view of the cost benefit analysis. (the so-called pharmacoeconomics).

Thanks and regards,



Sounds scary!---to say the least!

See you later,

Cheers..Abhay

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

i hope mumbai and pune doctors are aware of the fact but what about BAMS doctors doing MBBS practice in all over maharashta villages.?
sanjay

Ninad said...

A junk mail talking sense about 'junk'! A welcome rarity! It undoubtedly is a significant issue. Pandering to 'pharmacoecomomics' today is going to require huge levies in 'healtheconomics' in the future..if this is to continue! So what does the present community think? Contribute our tuppence with a movement for 'Safe drugs - safer India', a PIL or just another 'healthy debate'?

Keta said...

Dear Uncle...
your blog spot is truly a great platform to know and discuss interesting stuff...

People have blind faith on doctors and medicines but reading such alarming mail tell us to be more cautious for every pill we take in...

A decade back we heard of a widely used "balm" being banned in India...i dont remember the name...its was so strong that it would nullify the effect of all other medication...
It is known that its again into the market wid a different name...beware...!!!

Mohinish Sinha said...

theres general apathy in india related to health issues..its terrible to see commonly availble medicines on the "at risk" list. i saw this email before but did not believe it then, but now...well..