Despite the fact that the excessive use of steroids breed serious diseases and cause deaths in some cases, the government has yet to take stringent steps to rein in the unchecked sale of steroids at medical stories in the federal capital.
The unchecked use of drugs is a major problem of present day medical practice and its consequences include development of resistance to antibiotics, ineffective treatment and adverse effects on the patient.
Though it is the most harmful and dangerous medicine, it is not only frequently being given by quacks, hakims and homeopaths running their illegal businesses in and around the federal capital, but even the doctors at government-run-hospitals prescribed these medicines sometimes, because of absence of well-placed check and balance system.
Mrs Hafeezur Rehman, 50, a resident of Bhara Khau, told Pakistan Today that she developed a severe joints pain and visited Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for treatment.
She said that a doctor prescribed Deltacortril tablets, a steroid, which comforted her initially; however, it caused severe stomach problem due to which now she is regularly visiting a doctor for her stomach treatment.
Malik Israr, another chest patient, visited PIMS hospital where a doctor prescribed steroid for one month; however within three days his blood pressure increased alarmingly. The patient said that he went to Dr. Asid Riaz, Head of PIMS Cardiology for check-up, who advised him against using steroids.
He said that the doctor asked him not to use it anymore because it is quite lethal and harmful, as blood pressure shoot-up because of excessive use of the medicine.
Prescription practices will not improve without consumer targeted interventions that educate and empower communities regarding hazards of inappropriate drug use. A consistent policy and regulatory approach is necessary to prevent the non-medical use of these drugs; Pakistan has already lost four of its bodybuilders in a span of 17 days last year due to consumption of illegal steroids.
A Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Ministry official said the ministry could only take action in case of a complaint against a doctor for wrong medicine prescription or negligence.
Wasim Khwaja, a senior doctor at PIMS, said that steroid medicines could be used to treat different diseases; however, its excessive use could cause severe health problems.
He said that quacks running their illegal business in the outskirts of the metropolitan prescribed steroid medicines, because it give immediate comfort to patients; however, it breeds several new diseases, adding that it is need of the hour to run an awareness campaign to educate people about its side effects.
A senior official in the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination said that the sale of steroid is not prohibited, because it is a registered medicine.
When contacted PIMS Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Akram told Pakistan Today that steroid is one of the most harmful agent that man has ever created because its excessive use weakened bones, muscles, blood pressure, paralysis besides several other side effects.
He said that unfortunately, in Pakistan its per capita usage is the highest because not only doctors are using it, but quacks, homeopaths and hakims are also putting this in their drugs.
Akram said that only a judicious use by qualified practitioners has been allowed under law, but unfortunately even dispensers at medical stores gave medicine to the patients without any check. So, he said that obviously this is a very serious situation and very harmful for Pakistanis, because it causes diabetes, bones fracture and blood pressure.
The VC suggested that its import should only be allowed to licensed holder pharmaceutical companies and only should be given on prescription and should avoid its prolong and excessive prescription because it has no long-term role though it is life-saving in acute attack, it has more than 200 side effects.
It is responsibility of the drug regulatory authority to regulate and strictly enforce its usage on prescription and qualified position of licensed manufacturers not by quacks or homeopaths, besides the government should take strict action in this regard.
Despite repeated attempts, Muhammad Ayub Sheikh, Secretary Health could not be reached for his comments on the issue.
