| Most Drugs Manufactured In India Are Not Need For The Treatment |
| By : Puneet | Previous | Next |
| Posted on : 17 Jan, 2006 | Total Views : 503 |
Out of the over 24000 medicines manufactured in India, only about 300 medicines are needed to treat 90% of the hospital cases. And no more than 1200 medicines are ever needed! This was the central theme at the recently-concluded National Workshop to promote rational use of drugs and improve access to medicines being held at the Power Management Institute, NOIDA. The workshop, organized by Delhi Society for Promotion of Rational Use of Drugs (DSPRUD) was sponsored by India-WHO Essential Drugs Programme.
Elaborating on the purpose of the workshop, DSPRUD President R. Parmeswar says, “In 1996, DSRUPD introduced a centralized drug procurement system in Government hospitals of Delhi. Under the initiative it was found that only a limited number of basic drugs were needed for treatment in almost 90 percent of the hospital cases. These basic drugs were procured centrally for supply to hospitals. As a result, the actual cost of drugs to these hospitals was cut by as much as half. Today, this pooled procurement system is in place for all state run hospitals and 150 primary health centres of Delhi. This workshop aimed at sensitizing policy makers in other parts of the country to adapt the same procurement system.” The week-long course provided practical tools and skills for implementing Programme on Essential Drugs, Pharmaco-economic Evaluation Techniques, Evidence Based medicine, and drug supply management techniques.
Dr Usha Gupta, Vice President DSPRUD, and also Head-Clinical Pharmacology at Maulana Azad Medical College, adds “This pioneering effort through these years has been so successful that today it is popularly called “The Delhi Model”, and the WHO has recommended its extension to other states. Already, the model is being followed in the states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamil Nadu & Himachal Pradesh in India. Moreover, WHO has also initiated components of the Delhi Model in countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Kampuchea.”
Discussing about the menace of rampant irrational use of medicines, Mr. Parameswar says, “Iatrogenesis, or death due to medicines, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Irrational use of medicines includes over- and under-dosage, use of illegal or banned combinations, massive misuse of antibiotics, etc. all of which cause avoidable adverse drug reactions. It is imminent that India introduces a comprehensive drug policy that promotes judicious use of medicines.” Mr. Parameswar, however, declined to comment on the Pharmaceutical Policy draft issued by the government couple of days back, saying, “The first draft has just been circulated for scrutiny and suggestions. It would be too premature to make any comments at this early stage.”
The workshop was attended by participants from 14 states, including pharmacists, clinical pharmacologists, health system managers and policy makers from governmental & non-governmental organizations, besides representatives from the Directorate of Health Services.
The course was conducted by eminent resource persons from India and abroad, including Dr. K. Weerasuriya, WHO, Dr. GNV Ramana, World Bank, Dr. Ranjit Roy Chaudhury, DSPRUD Patron, Dr. MD Nair, internationally acclaimed advisor to industry, and Dr. Sunil Nandraj of the WHO, among others. Prof. Peter Bermen of World Bank delivered the session on ‘Drug Financing Issues’.
Written By : Puneet
