[e-drug] Scarcity of essential (?) medicines

["Atieno Ojoo" <atisojoo@yahoo.co.uk>]

E-DRUG: Scarcity of essential (?) medicines
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Dear colleagues,

We at Kenyatta National Hospital are increasingly having trouble sourcing for and finding these pharmaceutical products;
    
   Atropine inj  
   Chlorpromazine inj
   Colchicine tablets  
   Labetolol inj  
   Paracetamol inj  
   Phenobarbitone Inj

During our formulary development process, there have been varied responses from the clinicians regarding the need to use these medications-evidence or no evidence. Some of them questioned the "evidence" for the options or not using these drugs as they are considered "good old faithful drugs"
   
We are also unable to get suitable Zinc formulations for use in malnourished children as per UNICEF/WHO recommendations. Should the Zn be part of Oral rehydration salts or within Multivitamin/multimineral combinations?
   
What is your experience?

Dr Atieno Ojoo
Chief Pharmacist
Kenyatta National Hospital
Nairobi, Kenya
atisojoo@yahoo.co.uk