The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Drugs

  • Kogi sets up committee on drugs

    Kogi sets up committee on drugs

    Kogi State government has inaugurated a five-man committee to monitor the supply and sale of essential drugs in government hospitals under its drugs revolving scheme.

    Inaugurating members of the committee in Lokoja, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Idris Omede, said the measure had become necessary to ensure accountability and sustainability of the scheme.

    Omede said that the committee was also to complement the Health Ministry in the management of the scheme.

    He said that the monitoring committee would work without prejudice with the existing Drug and Consumable Distribution Committee of the state Central Medical Store.

    He said that the monitoring committee was charged with the responsibility of ensuring that proceeds from drug sales were remitted to designated financial institutions.

    The commissioner urged the distribution committee to hold on to its schedule in servicing the health facilities and called for cooperation of departments in the ministry with the monitoring committee.

    “The maximum cooperation of the management of various health facilities in this assignment is desirable as the committee is to supplement the primary responsibilities of the management of health facilities, “ he said.

    Omede said that the concept of the essential drugs revolving scheme was to ensure that basic drugs were available and accessible all-year-round in government hospitals for rightful prescriptions.

    Responding on behalf of other members of the committee, its chairman, Mr Joseph Achem, assured that the committee would be diligent and committed to ethical standards.

  • Firm formulates non-toxic drugs

    After 12 years research, a company, Bradford Pharmaceutical Limited, has recorded a breakthrough in the production of safe and affordable medicine.

    It claims to have formulated a brand of paracetamol syrup, which doesn’t contain propylene glycol, glycerin and analogues considered to produce toxic, like other conventional medicines.

    The company also produced bradcuff expectorant, which is a cough drug, bradferex blood tonic and a prescription blood tonic, bradferon.

    Its Chairman, Mr Idowu Obasa, who spoke at the public presentation of the drugs, said the poisoning of babies in 1990 and 2008 with some brands of paracetamol and baby teething mixture informed the firm decision to develop the drugs.

    He said:”We researched into the cause of those incidents of poisoning and identified the problem. We found that some vehicles (substances) namely, propylene glycol and glycerin used in dissolving the active pharmaceutical ingredient (paracetamol) were contaminated or criminally substituted with a poisonous substance called diettylene glycol (DEG). We also discovered that DEG is implicated in epidemic of poisoning involving other consumer products such as other medicines, wine and toothpastes around the world. This is why our drugs don’t contain these substances”

    Obasa said the new formula was the firm’s unique selling point (USP). ”We are trying to make unique drugs with less toxicity but equally active,” he added.

    He said three over-the-counter (OTC) and one prescription drug were formulated based on the research to ensure that people don’t suffer any side effect. The drugs, he said, had been approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as not poisonous but clean and safe for consumption.”The approval may not necessarily confirm the potency level,” he added.

    The brain behind the formulation, Mr Anthony Obi, a pharmacist, said he decided to put on his thinking cap after 1990 and 2008 incidences in which many children’s died after repeatedly taking ‘My Pikin teething mixture. He said: “The new drugs will not in any way put the lives of Nigerians in jeopardy. That was why I decided to do something different to safeguard the lives of people who take drugs.”

    He said the firm’s core value was to ensure care, safety and effectiveness of drugs. It also engages in intellectual inquiry. This was the driving force in achieving the formula of other drugs: Bradcuff expectorant, Bradferex blood tonic and and a prescription blood tonic, Bradferon.

    On Bradmol, which is a brand of paracetamol syrup, he said, it is flavoured and avoids the possibility of the abuse of the toxic substances.

  • NAFDAC seals off pharmacy over fake drugs

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off Anyiwest Pharmacy at 1, Meiran Road, Ojokoro, a Lagos suburb. The manager was arrested for stocking and dispensing contraband and expired drugs.

    In a statement yesterday, its public relations officer, Anslem Okonkwor said NAFDAC took the action following a petition by some people against the pharmacy. He said upon investigation, it was discovered that the pharmacy stocked Analgin and Tagaprox injections, which have been banned, and Ferotone and Flu capsules, which have expired.

    According to the Director of Enforcement, Mr. Garba MacDonald, the Agency’s officials acted to prevent the pharmacy from further endangering people’s lives through its unwholesome activities. He said there was no premises registration certificate at the pharmacy as stipulated by law, casting a doubt on its current registration status with the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN).

    MacDonald said the pharmacy did not only violate NAFDAC’s regulations but also engaged in professional misconduct. The outfit, he said, would remain shut and the products in stock subjected to further screening.

  • NDLEA seizes 16.436kg illicit drugs

    THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Akwa Ibom State seized 16.436kilogrammes of illicit drugs last month.

    The drugs comprise 16.428kg of Indian Hemp, 2.6g of cocaine, 5.9g of Heroine and 91trs of Combine.

    Combine, according to NDLEA, is a mixture of alcohol and Cannabis.

    NDLEA’s State Commander Mrs. Josephine Obi announced this yesterday.

    She said the agency has arrested 33 suspected drug peddlers, comprising 29 males and four females.

    Mrs. Obi said most of those used by drug barons to perpetrate the illicit act are the poor and minors.

    She said: “It is really pathetic that it is the same kind of people that we keep on coming across as we raid the joints. They are destitutes and their excuse is always that they have nothing else to do.

    “But we have to do our work and arrest them. When we arrest minors, we hand them over to the social welfare agencies. This is because the law recognises that a minor is not criminally liable.”

     

  • Drivers, riders told to abstain from drugs, others

    Comercial bus and taxi drivers, and motorcycle operators have been enjoined to stay off drug and alcohol.

    According to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), drug and alcohol are the major contributors to road accidents.

    At a campaign against drug abuse and alcoholism organised by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving at the agency, its Director-General, Dr Paul Orhii condemned drinking and smoking by drivers and motorcycle riders before embarking on a journey. This, he said, may lead to impaired mental function, which affects the ability of the users to make accurate judgement, especially when driving or riding.

    Quoting, the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) 2012 report, he said alcohol and cannabis are the most abused substances in Nigeria.

    The effect of the use of alcohol and other substances abuse impact negatively on the health, economy and social life of the people.

    Chairman, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mallam Ahmadu Giade said the problems associated with drug abuse and alcoholism are enormous, adding that the practice is not only dangerous to the individual but also the society at large.

    Giade, represented by Assistant Director, Drug Abuse Prevention Education (NDLEA), Mrs Stella Ngwoke said major organs of an abuser such as the kidney, liver and heart can be affected.

  • Drugs that aid sleep

    Drugs that aid sleep

    Not all available drugs work well for all insomniacs. A few products are available for people who prefer natural products.  Melatonin is a natural night hormone that helps us to sleep. It is produced by our bodies to control the sleep-wake cycle.  Artificially prepared melatonin may be useful for jet lag and for night shift workers.  Ramelteon (Rozerem) is a drug that behaves like melatonin. It is used as a hypnotic or sleep inducer.  It can cause dizziness and should be avoided in people with depression because it can worsen the symptoms of depression.  It was shown to cause birth defects in rats.  However, it lacks the typical side effects of all the older sleep aids.  L-Tryptophan can help some insomniacs fall asleep. It is converted to the hormone serotonin within the body.  Serotonin is in turn converted to melatonin and promotes sleep.  Herbs that may help insomniacs are: chamomile, valerian root, St. John’s wort, passionflower, lavender, kava kava, and lemon balm. Too much valerian can cause head ache, vivid dreams, blurred vision, and affect the heart beats.  St. John’s Wort interferes with the actions of some anticancer drugs, anticlotting agents, and contraceptives.  Therefore one should ask the pharmacists for advice before buying a herbal sleep aid. Sominex Herbal® has three active ingredients: hops, valerian, and passion flower extracts.
    Histamine is a chemical messenger that promotes wakefulness in the brain.  Many over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping pills contain a sedating antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Nytol, Unisom, Sominex, Sleepinal, Compoz, Zzzquil) or doxylamine (Unisom) or promethazine (also Sominex). They may cause side effects of daytime drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness and memory problems.
    OTC drugs that contain both a hypnotic antihistamine and a pain killer can also be used at bedtime to promote sleep.  Such products that contain the pain killer acetaminophen plus an antihistamine are: Tylenol PM, Aspirin-Free Anacin PM, Excedrin PM, and Midol PM.  Advil PM contains the pain killer ibuprofen and the hypnotic antihistamine diphenhydramine.  NyQuil combines antihistamines with alcohol.
    About two thirds of menstruating women lose sleep during their menstrual period.  According to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation, 67% of women who menstruate toss and turn for two or three days during every menstrual cycle.  This may be because of premenstrual insomnia or because of painful menstrual cramps or other bodily discomforts during their period.   Like people who are jet-lagged or depressed and women with PMS, women with premenstrual insomnia lack deep stage-sleep.  Drugs such as Midol PM taken at night time give relief of menstrual pain and sleeplessness.
    Some drugs are not OTC drugs and are controlled.  Controlled substances that are used as sedative/hypnotics generally require a prescription before purchase and usage.  These include zalepon (Sonata, Starnoc), zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Stilnox, and Sublinox), and eszopiclone (Lunesta).  Zalepon and zolpidem are used to induce sleep rather than maintain sleep.  Eszopiclone is used to induce and maintain sleep. Zalepon and zolpidem are effective sleep aids, but depending on individuals, may produce side effects of morning grogginess, dizziness, headache, nausea, drug tolerance, rebound insomnia, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dangerous sleep-related behaviours (parasomnias) such as sleep-walking and performing learned activities (such as driving) under a state of sleep or hypnosis (sleep-driving).  They may also cause new or worsening depression and suicidal thoughts or actions. Eszopiclone has some similar and some different side effects.
    Stilnox-related automatism has been well publicized.   In Australia in 2007, it was reported that a man who fell to his death from a balcony may have been sleepwalking under the influence of Stilnox (zolpidem).  An Australian student fell from the Sydney Harbour Bridge while under the influence of the same drug.