News
Poor Kenyans often given wrong drugs
Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o. PHOTO / FILE
Posted Monday, September 20 2010 at 22:00
In Summary
- About a third of patients swallowing incorrect antibiotics and painkillers because of poor diagnosis of ailments
Some Kenyans are taking wrong antibiotics and painkillers because of incorrect diagnosis.
About a third and sometimes up to 50 per cent of patients in Africa, Kenya included, are taking the wrong drugs, according to Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o.
“In Africa, up to 75 per cent of antibiotics are prescribed inappropriately and the burden falls mainly on the poor who are not protected by health policies,” said Prof Nyong’o.
The minister has in the past complained about a shortage of nurses and other healthcare workers and deteriorating services in public health institutions.
The World Health Organisation recommends a nurse-patient ratio of 200:100,000. Kenya’s ratio stands at 50:100,000.
Speaking after opening the fifth meeting of the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum on Monday, Prof Nyong’o said there was a widespread use of the injection and prevalence of unsafe practices which put communities at risk of blood-borne diseases like Hepatitis B and C and HIV.
The minister, however, said counterfeit drugs were no longer a big problem in the country because of a cross-border effort to reduce their prevalence.
Chief Government Pharmacist Kipkerich Koskei said several initiatives to curb the trade in counterfeit drugs in the region had borne fruit.
Fake drugs
The latest operation, which began three months ago and included Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, has just been concluded, he said.
“Working closely with the police, CID and Interpol in these countries, we have been able to reduce significantly the prevalence of fake drugs,” said Dr Koskei.
Pharmacists have said the huge number of drugs registered in Kenya made it difficult for the Health ministry to effectively monitor counterfeit drugs.
There are more than 11,000 products registered in Kenya, one of the highest rates in Africa.
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Submitted by gmburu99Posted September 21, 2010 06:38 PM
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Submitted by BELTANEFIRE5
I toook someone to hospital that I found on the street where they made a diagnosis and gave it a fancy name Saying it needed anti biotics (expensive)So I called my doctor in UK withthe diagnosis and was told antibiotics would not help in fact would make it worse as the diagnosis was a fancy way for constipation It seems every illness people think prescribe antibiotics that are meant to handle specidfic illness only They are no magic formula and are not pain killers etc etc Crrect diagnosis corrct medicine
Posted September 21, 2010 02:32 PM -
Submitted by wavidani
Why do we have so few nurses and doctors?No money for salaries or what?They graduate every year.Kwani wanaenda wapi?Abroad?Wote?What is being done?Tell us, you are in charge.
Posted September 21, 2010 02:15 PM -
Submitted by nsoyando
We are informed that there are no drugs in the public hospitals and now incorrect diagnosis. Who is making this incorect diagnosis? The minister should tell us how he hopes to tackle these issues too.
Posted September 21, 2010 12:24 AM
RSS
it's undoubtedly clear that most people do this with an aim of saving some cash. my question today is;when shall we Kenyans ever learn? we always forget that what costs nothing is worth nothing. now what is amusing is that even if you try to convince these people to avoid unsubscribed drugs, your advice falls on deaf ears. but then experience is the best teacher.