Politicians’ dangerous distribution of inappropriate medicines

While our politicians and various organizations are keen to distribute relief goods and services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there are unforeseen potential dangers that could further risk public health. One of these is the distribution of inappropriate pharmacy products, including antibiotics and counterfeit hand sanitizers.

Some political individuals and groups have included antibiotics (especially amoxicillin) in their relief packages. As the World Health Organization has emphasized, antibiotics should not be used for COVID-19 because this disease is caused by a virus, and antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.

In addition, antibiotics should be used only upon doctor’s orders, and they cannot be bought over the counter. What’s worse is that the antibiotics distributed during this pandemic are not enough to complete the right course of therapy. Only 10 capsules are being distributed, which are not enough to complete the proper course of antibiotic therapy.

Apparently, the public thinks that antibiotics are like vitamins that can be used any time they want to, in order to boost their immune system against this pandemic. This is not the approved use of antibiotics, and such drugs are never intended for self-medication. In fact, the wrong use of antibiotics during this pandemic can further worsen another global health threat known as “antibiotic resistance.” We are running out of effective antibiotic drugs because of their misuse or abuse.

In addition, those hand sanitizers that are being distributed do not contain alcohol, or they do not have the right concentration of alcohol in order for them to be effective. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that hand sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between 60 and 95 percent are more effective in killing germs than those with a lower alcohol concentration or nonalcohol-based hand sanitizers. More specifically, 60-percent ethanol and 70-percent isopropanol inactivate viruses that are genetically related to, and with similar physical properties as, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Many distributed hand sanitizers do not meet this requirement. What’s more, pure alcohol is also being distributed. Pure alcohol does not work because it needs to be mixed with a small amount of water, and it evaporates too quickly. It can also cause skin irritation because it is pure alcohol. The CDC says washing hands with soap and water is still the best way to get rid of germs in most situations, and it should be done regularly and appropriately.

Another drug being distributed that could pose potential danger to the public is mefenamic acid, an anti-inflammatory drug that belongs to the same group as ibuprofen. This group is known as NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Recently, French authorities sounded the alarm that ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory drugs could be an “aggravating factor” in COVID-19 infections. While this claim needs further evidence and additional information, it’s still important to be vigilant about the latest developments and take paracetamol instead, which is the safer choice for fever or pain.

It is highly recommended that prior to distributing medicines to the public in times of distress or calamity, barangay/municipal doctors or pharmacists must first be consulted for proper guidance.

TERESA MAY B. BANDIOLA
[email protected]