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Monday, January 9, 2012

CRISIS IN HEART DISEASE TREATMENT


CRISIS IN HEART DISEASE TREATMENT

The heart disease treatment sector is in crisis due to shortage of Penicillin medicines which were a solace to patients due to its low cost. Phenoxymethylpenicillin, a crucial medicine for rheumatic fever, suddenly disappeared from the market. These medicines are available in the market in the name Kaypen-250 and those who underwent surgery for heart valve are using this medicine and for those affected with throat-related diseases. The unavailability of medicines in government hospital has put the patients in dilemma. The equivalent medicine available is Pentids, which is available only in 400 mg category. 
Dr Baiju Cheriyancheryy, interventional cardiologist in MIMS Hearts Hospital Kottakal, said that the crisis is affecting heart treatments. Hindustan Antibiotics, a semi government institution in Pune, is manufacturing the medicines. But at present the company is not willing to produce the medicine as it is not profitable. The distributors are also not showing any interest to distribute the same, as the commission rate is low. Due to this there is shortage. Distributors said for the last three months there has been no supply of Kaypen tablets. The central government had included Kaypen in the list of essential medicines and so the right to decide the price rest with the central government only. The price is Rs 10.50 for 10 numbers. At present majority of the medical shops have no stock of this medicine. 
                                                               Prof. John Kurakar

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