[e-drug] Fenoverine an Obsolete & Dangerous Drug Available in Pakistan

[Azhar Hussain <azhar@thenetwork.org.pk>]

E-drug: Fenoverine an Obsolete & Dangerous Drug Available in Pakistan
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Use of fenoverine causes muscular side-effects
Daily Nation 31st January 2002
By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD ñ The Network for Consumer Protection in Pakistan has warned
the health professionals and consumers against
the use of Fenoverine (brand name: Spasmopriv) known to cause
life-threatening side-effects of muscles.
According to a spokesman of The Network, despite having repeatedly
contacted the Director General Health and providing him
with scientific evidence against this drug, the Ministry of Health has
failed to take any concrete steps to check the availability of
this dangerous drug in the open market.
Fenoverine is an anti-spasmodic drug used for a variety of gastro
intestinal problems including stomach pain, nausea, and ulcer and
can cause life-threatening side-effects. It is also dangerous for people
suffering from liver and kidney problems, pregnant and
breast-feeding women.
Besides Pakistan, the drug was registered in only two other countries,
France and Italy, from where it has been withdrawn
because of safety reasons since 1997. Forty five cases of known side
effects have been reported in France.
The drug is not even registered in its country of origin, Belgium.
According to the National Drug Policy, 1997, a drug withdrawn
from United States, China, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and its
country of origin due to safety reasons should face the
same regulatory action in Pakistan.
The Network has also stressed the need to establish a system to monitor
the adverse effects of drugs. The absence of such a
system makes it extremely difficult to monitor drugs such as Fenoverine
in the market.
The Network has advised prescribers and consumers that safer and cheaper
alternative such as hyocine can be used for similar
purposes.
The Network has demanded from the Ministry of Health to take immediate
action of de- registering Fenoverine and other such
dangerous drugs available in the market in the best interest of consumer
health and safety
Safer and cheaper alternatives such as hyocine (Buscopan) can be used
for similar complaints. The chemists should also be
warned against dispensing the dangerous drug.
The drug causes rhabdomyolysis and myalgia- disorders of the muscle
characterized by muscular pain, weakness and muscle
disintegration.

Azhar Hussain
Advocacy & Research Officer
TheNetwork for Consumer Protection
Islambad
Pakistan.
Azhar Hussain <azhar@thenetwork.org.pk>

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