The healthcare profession is getting a lot of attention these days. With the spotlight on health conditions like diabetes, heart disease and hypertension, people are looking for ways to combat the effects of illness and regain their health and longevity.
Healthcare professionals are dedicated to helping patients overcome medical conditions and live a long and happy life. With training, education, patient interaction and a genuine caring and empathy for those they care for, they are an integral part of a person’s medical treatment and recovery. Like any other profession, they rely on the integrity of the resources they have, such as medical equipment and medications.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, “Feeding a Disease With Fake Drugs,” one of those resources may be working against healthcare providers and patients. It began with some statistics on tuberculosis by the World Health Organization. The WHO found that of the 8 million people that contracted tuberculosis in 2011, 1.4 million people died from the disease, a larger number than death from AIDS.
The article reported findings from a study by the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease that reported that fake and poorly made antibiotics are unknowingly being used to treat tuberculosis. These inadequate or useless drugs contribute to strains of the disease that are resistant to antibiotics and pose a serious health threat.
There are many ways that fake drugs get into the marketplace. In some countries and markets, it is easy for counterfeiters to infiltrate the market, offering drugs at prices much lower than legitimate sources. The article reports that in emerging markets, it is easy to falsify documentation so someone purchasing these “fake” drugs wouldn’t know the difference. The consequences are dire. Some patients die immediately. With others, the drugs kill some of the bacteria but leave the strongest to multiply.
Emerging countries, some may say, don’t have the type of stringent regulations the United States has to protect consumers from fake drugs prevalent in emerging countries. Not so, says the article. Despite the many safeguards, the United States has its challenges. Last year, a generic version of Lipitor from India was found to have particles of glass. It was recalled. But the U.S. has a shortage of tuberculosis medications. Will demand and a shortage of certain drugs drive some to take a chance on less-reliable sources?
How can you know that the drugs you administer are safe? The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention leads the fight against fake and substandard drugs, and works with public health agencies around the world and in the U.S. to prevent them from use in the U.S. End users should confirm that drugs are registered and are from a legitimate source.
The article ended with a dire prediction. Substandard drugs, over time, could make even high-quality drugs ineffective against super bacteria strains. While government regulatory agencies need to protect the consumer from fake drugs, healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities have to be vigilant with their own procedures to ensure that the drugs they administer are of the highest quality.
The healthcare industry needs to partner with these agencies to monitor medication quality. Personal interaction and observation of patient progress is one indication of medication effectivenessy. Despite the best safeguards, healthcare professionals who interact with patients throughout treatment may be the best watchdogs and safeguard against this growing healthcare threat.
Photo Source: Freedigitalphotos.net
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