There is a large market in Pakistan for the illegally made Viagra,
the sex-enhancement pill, with its ingredients mixed with Unani
medicine.
The market for the smuggled and indigenously produced Viagra is run
mainly due to poor enforcement of regulations.
A report of the health ministry submitted to the Supreme Court of
Pakistan in a case relating to prevalence of spurious drugs said that
certain classes of drugs including central nervous system stimulants
(CNS stimulants), sildenafil citrate (Viagra) and other steroids were
being prepared illegally, posing serious threats to human health.
"Many pharmaceuticals manufacturers were involved in the illegal sale
of pharmaceutical raw material in the open market, which ultimately is
used in the production of many medicines and also in veterinary
medicines, including poultry feed that leads to health hazards.
"One of the quoted example was sildenafil citrate, which is being
actively used in Punjab in certain Unani medicines," The News quoted
from a report on the findings discussed at a meeting of health
authorities chaired by the federal health secretary.
Apart from smuggled drugs, the major sources of spurious drugs were at
the wholesale level as well as Ayurvedic, Unani and homoeopathic
systems of medicines due to poor regulation.
The report further said the restricted pharmaceutical raw materials
required for the production of many herbal, Ayurvedic, and
homoeopathic drugs, including Viagra, are being sold illegally in the
open market, and were also being used in poultry feed leading to
serious health hazards in the country.
The committee was formed after the Chief Justice took suo motu notice
of prevalence of spurious and substandard drugs in the country and
also noticed the uncontrolled sale of restricted medicines.
It was pointed out in the meeting that many of the pharmaceutical
manufacturers, both the national and multinational firms, adopt
"unethical, non-professional and illegal practices".
It was also observed that the unethical marketing trend was creating a
culture of money making among the pharmaceuticals at the cost of the
consumers.
It also provokes and encourages such elements to indulge in the
production/sale of spurious drugs mainly in the name of herbal,
Ayurvedic and homeopathic products and many a time the allopathic
drugs as well, said the report.
The meeting recommended that rules of the Pakistan Medical and Dental
Council (PMDC) should be amended to curb the unhealthy practice of
pharmaceutical firms.
It was also observed that retailers without the prescription of a
registered medical practitioner were selling certain restricted
medicines.
It was also pointed out at the meeting that a large segment of the
pharmaceutical industry was involved in promoting their drugs through
illegal advertisement, which compel the uneducated and unaware
population of the country to purchase and use such medicines as pose
serious risks to their health.
Labels: No Prescription, Online Pharmacy, Prescription Drugs
# posted by Network @ 4:10 PM
