Discretional use of all medicines harmful for health: Physicians

QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): Some pharmacists in northwestern Badghis province have complained against the excessive use of Tramadol and Pregabilin medicines by common people while health officials said efforts had been taken to address the issue.

They said daily tens of customers visited their pharmacies to take these medicines.

Mohammad Yar Nazim, the owner of Qani Pharmacy in Qala-i-Naw, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News lately demands for Tramadol and Pregabilin had surged.

He added daily by average up to 10 persons demanded Tramadol or Pregabilin without the physician’s prescription.

Ahmad Rahimi, the owner of Wamq Pharmacy situated in Qala-i-Naw, also confirmed growing demand for the two medicines in the province and added there was an unprecedented surged in the demand for the two medicines.

Physicians have warned against the prescribed used of Tarmadol and Tramadol and Pregabilin.

A Neurologist Dr. Asadullah Rasouli said: “No medicine should be used arbitrarily without a doctor’s prescription, because every medicine has its side effects.”

The reason for the excessive use of these drugs was temporary, relief from tiredness and confusion adding that these drugs provided unrealistic and short-term relief.

He warns that the long-term use of these drugs was addictive and will cause many problems such as depression, heart problems, breathing problems, destruction of the digestive system and lead to weight gain.

He said: “No medicine should be used without a doctor’s prescription; because it causes many problems, I hope people to never use these drugs on their own, and if they felt sick, they shall go to a doctor for proper treatment.”

Deputy Public Health Department Director Dr. Ajab Khan Hameed said not only Tramadol and Pregabilin but all other medicines should not be taken without doctor’s advice.

He said a joint team from the representatives of different institutions had been formed who daily monitor pharmacies in the city.

He added pharmacists also pledged not to sell medicines without doctor’s prescription

He warned pharmacists involved in the sale of prescribed medicines would be dealt according to the law.

“Our teams are monitoring pharmacies daily and no individual has the right to take medicines by own. We are taking steps to address this issue,” he said.

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