'90% People Purchase Medicines Without Valid Prescriptions' Said Dr. Arun Kumar Shrivastava

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Pharmacologist Dr Arun Kumar Shrivastava, former director, medical education and former Hamidia Hospital medical superintendent said about 80% people purchase medicines without valid prescription in the country.

Free Press talked to him on different medical issues.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs medication is quite common. What are its disadvantages?

About 80-90% people purchase medicines without valid doctor’s prescription. OTC drugs means medicines can be purchased directly by consumers without a prescription from a healthcare professional. Such drugs have several disadvantages.

OTC drugs can lead to memory loss, kidney failure, heart problems etc. Mostly, people visit medical store and purchase medicines without prescriptions.

Drug addiction is on rise. Your views.

It is true that drug addiction is on rise specially among youths. They are addicted to Mandrax, which is a highly addictive sedative drug that was originally prescribed as a sedative, sleep aid, and muscle relaxant. Pethidine and sleeping pills also fall in the same category.

Addicts often have one or more associated health issues like lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, mental illness, loss of memory and concentration. In some cases, mental disorders such as anxiety, depression or schizophrenia may surface before one gets addicted. Psychotherapy and anti-drug addiction is given but society should be made aware about disadvantage of drug addiction.

Drug trials often create controversy. What are its rules? In Madhya Pradesh, major drug trial was exposed in Indore and Bhopal.

Earlier, the rule was to form committee at local level for drug trial. So, doctors used to form local level committee and executed drug trial. Drug trial in Indore had become a major issue wherein doctors were penalised. Mostly, it was done to benefit pharmaceutical companies.

Now, rules have changed and it includes formation of ethical committee, permission from Drugs Controller General of India and detail reporting in phased manner after which permission is granted to promote drug in markets. Now, overall it is under central government monitoring.

There is controversy over generic medicines vs trade medicines in health care industry.

Doctors should promote generic medicines as price difference is 5 to 10 times. Generic medicines are 70% cheaper than trade medicines. Under PM Jan Aushidhi Yojana, centres have been opened.

It has been established in AIIMS, and state government medical college hospitals in Rewa and Shahdol. Cancer medicines should also be made available as patients get them at price, which is almost 10 times less than MRP.