DEAR readers, we interrupt temporarily the usual content of this column to share with you, a stern warning from the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), addressed to doctors regarding the increasing incidence of adverse effects of medicines and drugs which could lead to serious and even fatal outcomes. Word for word, the following is the message.
"As an initiative from the Pharmacovigilance Committee, the Philippine college of Physicians seeks your (doctors) help in ensuring the safety of all our patients.
With the proliferation of novel drugs, generic equivalents and alternative or herbal medicines in the market, we are obliged to assist the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in performing their duty by reporting serious adverse reactions in your respective area and field of practice. Should you have any suspected event, please use the attached official FDA form and send this back using this email letter or at pcp.adversedrug@gmail.com
There is no need to sign the form but the name of the reporter (doctor) needs to be indicated, along with the initials of the patient. Please indicate why you think the adverse effect is serious. Also fill up all other relevant spaces. There is no need to indicate the name of the person who prescribed the suspect medicine because it is not relevant to adverse event reports. Rest assured that the report is only for "suspected" adverse reactions. It does not constitute an accusation or definite evidence of harm. Thank you for your cooperation. PCP Secretariat."
This columnist totally agrees with the content of the PCP message. It has been observed that some patients get their medicines from the internet, without prescription, persuaded or lured by aggressive advertisement or by endorsement of celebrities who simply mouth the words without even understanding what they are saying or by patients themselves who, paid with an amount close to a king's ransom, would sing praises for a supplement whose alleged beneficial effects come almost like a miracle cure.
Moreover, there are groups that go house to house, offering free laboratory tests, only to cajole the gullible listeners to buy their products, for a hefty price, only to find out later, they are just vitamins.
Some people, more businessmen than health care providers, would invite folks to a free seminar/lecture on nutrition and well-being, complete with snacks and giveaways. Well, as the saying goes, "all is fair in love and war," so this columnist is not in any position to cast judgment on the moral or ethical issues of the activities of the aforementioned persons.
However, from a clinical point of view, every patient should have a sensible, careful assessment of any medicine or drug in terms of the following in order of their importance- efficacy or as most would like to call it, effectivity, safety and probably the least is the price. No matter how convincing a person extols the sterling characteristics of a substance, usually food supplements or nutriceuticals, do not throw away what your doctor or family physician has prescribed you. Or better yet, have a good talk with them and ask all your questions.
