Comments on: Study here points to antibiotic resistance from malaria drug

By: Brainstorm

Brainstorm — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:25:34 +0000

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By: Chemist

Chemist — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:14:43 +0000

In the Caribbean there is randon batch testing of drugs originating from companies manufacturing and supplying drugs without previous previous consistent quality control and proven track records, not sure if Guyana is privy to such services, buy in the past the Pharmacy and Poisons Board had the responsibility for assaying drugs used in Guyana, not sure how functionable they are today might some guidance in that respect.

By: ankoko

ankoko — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:23:11 +0000

Chemist – you are on to something no question. Lots of times the interaction of drugs change due to many factors. Good one day bad the next!
Question/Suggestion to the administration: Is it possible to have an independent screening of the manufacturing processes and properties of drugs imported before they are bought to ensure quality?
I know that Guyana doesn’t have the wherewithal to do so at this time but couldn’t these services be obtained internationally at no or nominal charge?
Could the information available from the US Food and Drug Administration be used to assist in this respect?

By: Chemist

Chemist — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:57:40 +0000

Unfortunately the correct channels were not sought prior to carrying this study for whatever reasons, but as word of caution the Minister should take heed and do further investigations on this finding. The current Tx. using Cholroquine should be revisited as parts of Guyana was part of the Variable to low risk areas for chloroquine resistance 2003-2004 which by now may have changed either positively on negatively. It is likely to develop Quinolone resistance easier after the use or exposure to chloroquine as a result of a cross effect due to a similarity of the two types of drugs in their mechanism of action in the bacterial cell with the micro oragnism showing easier resistance to chloroquine due to its non-specific effect over the quinolone that is more specific resulting in the bacteria developing a ‘memory response’ (resistance) initially to chloroquine generating greater to become resistance to quinolones(ciprofloxacin). To address Mr. Berkley Van Bowen’s concerns, pleease be specific, a lot of manufacturers in India have been producing quality drugs at a fraction of the cost of similar drugs for years, almost all of which has passed assays and quality control tests some of which I have personal knowledge of with good results, thanks to India a lot can afford Chemotherapeutics, antiretrovirals among others.

By: La vie est bonne!

La vie est bonne! — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:45:58 +0000

Not only was the caution about drugs manufactured in India, but also from China.
Quality control is no existent or it is not seriously taken at these locations.
North America has had many instances of “bad pharmaceuticals” slipping into the mainsteram pharmacare.

By: Berkeley Van Bowen

Berkeley Van Bowen — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:56:16 +0000

A worldwide alert was publicized sometime ago that extreme caution should be taken when using drugs manufactured in India. The South Asian country has been accused of dumping cheap compromised drugs on the world market that have a disproportionate affect on poor countries. Because the drugs are not able to affectively cure/treat the diseases for which they are created, the consequence is often patient deaths.