Some Balkh youth addicted to Pregabalin

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Some doctors in northern Balkh province say a number of youth have become addicted to Pregabalin, which is commonly prescribed for patients with mental, psychiatric and acute pains.

Despite a ban on sale of the medication without prescription, pharmacists admit youth ask them for Pregabalin on a daily basis.

Abdul Matin, a pharmacist, told Pajhwok Afghan News the sale of the drug had been banned without doctor’s prescription, youth continued to ask for the drug.

Abdul Raqib, another druggist, said doctors prescribed Pregabalin for patients with severe pains. He alleged some youth abused the medication.

He called Pregabalin an addictive drug, on which many youngsters had become dependent.

Dr. Asadullah Ulfat, a psychiatrist, described Pregabalin/Zeegap as an anti-convulsant, which is also recommended for relieving acute pains.

Ulfat said it was an important medication, but some youth abused it. He underlined the prevention of the medicine being abused.

The doctor advised the individuals abusing the drug to shun the practice. Quitting addiction to the medication could become impossible at a late stage, he warned.

Local officials acknowledge some youth have become addicted to the drug.  Dr. Jawaid Siraji, a public health official, said Pregabalin was available in 75, 150 and 300 milligrams.

He asked medical store workers to avoid illegal and unprescribed sales of the drug.

Siraji added that the sale 300mg tablets was banned and 2,700 packs had been collected in the past one year.

aw/mud

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