Amidst rising inflation and the daunting challenge of paying inflated electricity bills, a new crisis has emerged, intensifying the struggles of many. Many patients in the city, particularly those who depend on critical medications, are struggling with a serious lack of critical pharmaceuticals. To compound the issue, the prices of these medications are on the rise, further exacerbating the challenges faced by individuals already burdened by economic uncertainties.
Reports indicate that dozens of essential medicines are currently unavailable at local pharmacies, creating a distressing situation for those in need. For those already weighed down by economic concerns, the challenges they face are further compounded by the escalating costs of essential treatments.
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The rising expenses associated with necessary medical care only serve to intensify the difficulties they encounter. This intersection of economic strain and increasing healthcare costs adds an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging circumstances faced by individuals seeking vital treatments.
GPlus spoke to several locals who shared their experiences of struggling to find prescribed medications in the market.
Shatabdi, a resident of Ulubari, expressed her frustration, recounting an incident when she needed medication for a urinary tract infection.
Talking to GPlus, she said, "My doctor prescribed me a medicine when I had a UTI. I went to almost half the pharmacies in Guwahati looking for the medicine but couldn't find it. The nearby pharmacy also told me that they would try to get it from somewhere, but couldn't. I had to wait for 5 days to receive the medicine in Guwahati. This incident kind of frightened me. I thought if a UTI medicine can be so hard to find, what would happen if I needed some life-saving medicine and it wasn't available in the market."
Another resident of Athgaon talking to GPlus shared a similar ordeal involving a prescription from B Borooah Cancer Institute's branch at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. He said, "My friend came back from B Borooah Cancer Institute's branch at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai where they prescribed my friend's parent a medicine. When he asked if that medicine would be available in Guwahati, they said yes, but the medicine was not available in Guwahati at all. He had to ask a friend to buy and courier it from Kolkata."
Rashmi Rekha Roy from Chandmari, whose mother is a cancer patient, faced challenges finding Codeine, a prescribed medication.
"Desperate to find it, I searched Guwahati extensively, only to discover that the medicine was nowhere to be found. When I approached pharmacies for assistance, they explained the challenges, revealing the limited distribution of Codeine in the market. It was a worrisome experience, navigating through the scarcity of crucial medication for my mother's health," Roy told GPlus.
Talking to GPlus, a senior official from the State Drugs Control Administration clarified that certain drugs face restriction in the market due to their nature.
"For instance, Codeine, being a habit-forming drug, is subject to specific limitations", he said.
However, the official assured that it is available in the market. Additionally, the official highlighted the existence of an app called "Pharmasahidaam," allowing people to check the availability of medicines across India.
In 2022, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) introduced the Pharmasahidaam app to empower consumers to compare medicine prices and quality while facilitating the lodging of complaints. The app, available for download on Google Play Store, aims to address concerns related to varying prices for medicines with similar formulations. The move was prompted by consumer complaints regarding price disparities among pharmaceutical companies.
The official further emphasized the regulatory measures in place, particularly concerning antibiotics, which are considered harmful without a doctor's prescription. Strict norms prohibit the over-the-counter purchase of antibiotics to prevent misuse and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat, affecting the effectiveness of treatments for various infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. The evolving nature of these microorganisms renders them unresponsive to medicines over time, making infections more challenging to treat and increasing the risk of their spread. The consequences include persistent infections, severe illnesses, and heightened mortality rates.
To address the alarming issue of AMR, he mentioned, "We are actively addressing the alarming issue of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through ongoing awareness programs across Assam. Our initiatives focus on reaching out to dealers and chemists, stressing the importance of responsible distribution and use of antibiotics. Recognizing the severe impact of antimicrobial resistance, our programs aim to educate all stakeholders about the potential consequences."
These initiatives target dealers and chemists, emphasising the responsible distribution and use of antibiotics.
