The woman complained that she had a headache and stomach ache. The doctor spoke briefly with her. Then he prescribed a three-day course of injections against malaria, paracetamol (paracetamol) to stop the headache, two medications to relieve a stomach ulcer, tranquilizers for their anxiety, and finally, to say the least, a course of multivitamins. The bill was expensive, but the wife does not mind. She left happily, confident that the drugs would solve her problems.
Such consultations are not uncommon in West Africa. A survey in a large nation there showed that health care workers in public health centers on average prescribe 3.8 different drugs per patient per visit. For many people, a good doctor is indeed someone who prescribes a lot of medicine.
Perhaps the West African trust in medicine is understandable, considering what the health situation once was. Over 40 years ago, author John Gunther wrote of earlier times: "This slaver coast not only ... killed blacks, it also killed white and is the part of Africa known as the 'tomb of the white man." The undisputed king For hundreds of years, the mosquitoes were the Yellow Guinea Fever, Blackwater Fever, Malaria, the chosen and evil weapons of this king.The eerie lethality of the West Coast climate is not a question of remote sensing, but a living reminder.A favorite anecdote describes the consular officer, not so long ago Time in Nigeria and asked for his pension. "Pension?" His boss at the Colonial Office replied, "My dear, nobody who goes to Nigeria lives long enough to retire."
The times have changed. Today, there are medicines for the diseases that are spread by mosquitoes, but also for many other diseases. Vaccines alone have drastically reduced the death toll from measles, whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria. Thanks to vaccines, smallpox was wiped out. Polio could soon be a disease of the past.
No wonder many Africans today have a deep belief in the value of medicine. Of course, this belief is not limited to West Africa. In the United States, doctors write more than 55 billion prescriptions each year. In France, people buy an average of 50 boxes of pills per year. And in Japan, the average person spends over $ 400 a year on medicines.
Antibiotics—Advantages over risks
Modern drugs have helped humanity a lot. When used properly, they promote good health, but if used incorrectly, they can hurt and even kill. For example, in the United States, about 300,000 people are hospitalized every year for drug-related side effects, and 18,000 die.
To take wise drugs, it is important to realize that there is always a risk element. Any drug, even aspirin, can cause harmful side effects. The likelihood of side effects is greater if you take multiple medications at the same time. Eating and drinking also affect how a drug works in your body and can enhance or neutralize its effects.
There are other risks. You may have an allergic reaction to a particular drug. If you do not take medication as prescribed - the right dose at the right time - they probably will not help you and may even harm you. The same result can occur if your doctor prescribes the wrong medicine or unnecessary medication. You also risk harm if you take expired, inferior or fake drugs.
To minimize the risks, you should know as much as you can about any medication you are taking. You can benefit greatly if you know the facts.
Are injections better than tablets?
"I want an injection!" These words are heard by many health workers in developing countries. The basis for such a request is the belief that the drug is injected directly into the bloodstream and causes greater healing than tablets or pills. In some countries, it is common to see unauthorized "injection physicians" in markets.
Injections carry risks that pills and tablets do not have. If the needle is not clean, the patient may be infected with hepatitis, tetanus and even AIDS. A dirty needle can also cause a painful abscess. Dangers are increased if the injection is given by an unqualified person.
If you really need an injection, make sure it is given by someone who is medically qualified. Always make sure that both the needle and the syringe are sterile for your protection.
Fake Drugs
The global pharmaceutical industry is big business, contributing about $ 170 billion a year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). To take advantage of the situation, unscrupulous people have made counterfeit medicines. Counterfeit medicines look like real drugs - just like their labels and packaging - but they are worthless.
While counterfeit medicines are everywhere, they are particularly prevalent in developing countries and have tragic consequences. In Nigeria, 109 children died of kidney failure after swallowing analgesic syrup with industrial solvents. In Mexico, burn victims suffered raging skin infections from alleged remedies containing sawdust, coffee and dirt. In Burma, dozens of villagers may have died from malaria because they took a fake drug that did not fight malaria fever. "The most vulnerable," says WHO, "are once again the poorest people who sometimes think it's good business when they buy what appears to be an efficient drug produced by a respectable company."
How can you protect yourself from counterfeit medicines? Make sure that what you buy comes from a reputable source, such as a hospital pharmacy. Do not buy from street vendors. A pharmacist in Benin City, Nigeria, warns: "For traders, selling drugs is just a business, they give medicines as if they were sweets or cookies, and the drugs they sell are often outdated or fake, these people know nothing about the medicines they sell. "
The problem of poverty
The medical treatment a person receives often depends on how much money they have. To save costs and save time, people in developing countries can bypass the doctor and go straight to the pharmacy to buy prescription drugs. Because they have used the drug before, or because friends recommend it, they know what they want for their illness. But what they want may not be what they need.
People are also trying to save costs in other ways. A doctor has done a lab test and prescribes a specific drug. The patient carries the prescription to the pharmacy, but finds the costs high. Instead of looking for extra money, people often buy a cheaper drug or buy only part of the prescribed drug.
Do You Really Need Medication?
If you really need medication, find out what you are taking. Not a pity to ask the doctor or pharmacist questions about the prescribed drug. You have the right to know. After all, it is your body that can suffer.
If you do not use your medicine properly, you may not get well. You need to know how much you are taking, when you are taking it and how long you need to take it. You also need to know what foods, drinks and other medicines or activities to avoid when you take it. And you have potential side effects and what to do if they occur.
Also, keep in mind that medicines are not the answer to every medical problem. You may not need drugs at all. WHO World Health magazine writes, "Use a medicine only when it's needed, and rest, good food, and plenty of drinking are often enough to help a person get better."
The sensible use of medication
- Do not use outdated drugs.
- Buy from a reputable source. Do not buy from street vendors.
- Make sure you understand and follow the instructions.
- Do not use medications prescribed for another person.
- Do not insist on injections. Drugs that are taken by mouth often work just as well.
- Store medicines in a cool place out of the reach of children