Paul ADEPOJU

I live in a country with a larger proportion of citizens having malaria parasites swimming in their blood hence unless it has become a very serious illness, very few patients take malaria serious. Even out of those that are conscious of the malaria parasites in their bloodstream, very few voluntarily go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment. It is often over-the-counter tablet count that counts. And to a large extent, it is working... almost perfectly.

Four years ago, I read about a WHO TDR initiative in some parts of Africa and Asia that tested the efficacy of using local pharmacists in making drugs available to those who need them. The statistical analysis of figures gave highly significant results. But the problem however is that such measure further increases the possibility of resistance development that could be as a result of wrong diagnosis or incomplete dosage that could lead to tolerance and resistance.

Recently, a three-month old baby was pronounced dead after he was given a high dosage of antimalarial drug that was bought over the counter. Laboratory investigations showed that the baby's blood test tested negative for malaria parasites. It is a popular public health service announcement that drugs shouldn't be used without consulting the doctor, yet more drugs are bought without doctors' consents. This shows that to reduce mortality, health authorities ought to take drug retailers more serious than they currently do.

People are too busy or too poor to go to hospitals. The proximity of drug sellers to citizens of third world countries makes it even more difficult for the hospitals to properly regulate drug intakes. In commercial buses, parks, and on foot, drugs of varying qualities are presented at ridiculously cheaper prices.

Fake drugs are ubiquitous, expired capsules are cosmopolitan while adulterated syrups still rake in millions of dollars annually. Even quality well kept and perfectly dispensed medicines are also harmful when improperly used.

Unlike the popular notion that drugs are good, no drug is perfectly good. It's a give-and-take scenario in the body system. The drugs takes care of the ailment and in return, it leaves a side effect.

Current potent malaria drugs weaken the body system. Cancer drugs can shut down the immune system. Several others can induce vomiting, appetite loss, hair loss, insomnia, destruction of well needed body cells and a host of others. There are even drugs that can negatively affect libido. And some, when not properly used, can stop heart beat.

Tablets look harmless, but the quantum of energy embedded in the molecules is scary. If only scientists can also demonstrate the mechanism of action of most of the drugs that people use without medical advise, very few will dare to take them. But the secret is properly kept away.

To make drugs safer, natural drugs should be the focus. Purification should be the method. And street sales must be outlawed.

It is funny how beers could get to the most interior villages and rural areas, but safe drugs cannot reach all. It is a pure demonstration of unseriousness and sheer ineptitude.

There are many massive drug retail companies that can invest in tackling the avoidable deaths as a result of unsafe drug intake, and can help collate pharmacovigilance data at the local levels. Furthermore, they can also provide essential services to tackle adverse drug reactions and can transport victims to medical facilities nearby for treatment.

As a medical professional, I'm very scared of drugs. I don't abuse or use them indiscriminately because they are very powerful. The adverse effects of drugs also make drug intake a last resort and not a first line of action because what has been ingested is difficult to withdraw without exerting its effect to the fullest.

Our bodies shouldn't be a laboratory for dangerous experiments by indiscriminate use of drugs. We are higher on the food chain, we should know better.