Is Your Favourite Medicine Killing You?

by MONIRUPA SHETE

Many drugs that have been banned, withdrawn, or marketed under restrictions in other countries, continue to be sold in India.

Life, it seems, comes cheap for the health officials of our country. How else would you justify the existence of drugs withdrawn elsewhere in the world but still sold and prescribed in India?

Delayed Reactions

Doctors campaigning for the sensible use of drugs say that regulatory authorities in India have not addressed the issue of delays in withdrawing drugs. Eleven drugs - including cisapride, furazolidone, nimesulide and phenylpropanolamine - that have been banned, withdrawn, or marketed under restrictions in North America, Europe, and many Asian countries, continue to be sold in India.

Lax Officials

“Indian regulators are accused of laxity in not banning drugs,” says Dr Anant Phadke, city-based medical practitioner who has done extensive research on the issue. Dr Phadke however cautions that the belief that India has become a dumping ground for banned drugs is an issue too far stretched. “Regulations in India and US vary. In the US, drugs are not banned, they are withdrawn from the market. When a certain drug is found to have side affects, Indian regulatory authorities should also withdraw it from the market. Unfortunately that does not happen,” adds Dr Phadke.

Grey Areas

He explains that whenever a drug is banned by the Drug Controller of India, it should stop being available in the market. But there are times when a drug is banned yet continues to be sold for a few months till stock lasts. “There is a lot grey zone in the field,” says Dr Phadke. Dr Shirish Praya feels that drugs continue to be available over the counter because doctors keep prescribing it. “Till the time the drugs are not banned by regulatory authorities, no doctor can be blamed for prescribing it and as long as doctors keep prescribing, chemists will keep selling these drugs,” explains Dr Prayag.

Docs To Blame?

Many doctors, experts says, are unaware of the researches being conducted worldwide. “There have been campaigns against various drugs. Noted doctors keep themselves informed of the harmful side-effects of these drugs and do not prescribe them,” Dr Phadke argues. It is advisable to buy drugs only if prescribed by a doctor. Also, it is advisable to check out which company manufactures it from a reputed drug store. Remember, popping in some of these drugs can cause harm beyond repair.

Are you taking any of these?

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

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

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

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

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

NITROFURAZONE: An antibacterial cream. Reason for ban : Cancer. Brand name : Furacin

PHENOLPHTHALEIN: A laxative. Reason for ban : Cancer. Brand name : Agarol

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

OXYPHENBUTAZONE: A 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: An Anti-diarrhoeal. Reason for ban : Damage to sight. Brand name : Enteroquinol