(MENAFN- The Peninsula) (File photo) Salim Matramkot © The Peninsula By Huda NV / The Peninsula
As dusty and changing weather conditions have led to a surge in demand for allergy and cold medicines, a specific anti-allergy remedy considered most appropriate for children is currently facing a dire shortage in market. However, unlike before, demand for antibiotic medicines have fallen, according to experts.
'More people are turning up at our pharmacies asking for cold and flu medicines. Medicines like the cough syrups, nasal drops, sprays and anti-allergy medicines are moving very fast. There is also enough demand for products as face masks and air-purifiers, said S K Vyas, Pharmacy Academics Manager, Wellcare Group .
'However, we are getting lesser antibiotic prescriptions as government has taken a stringent stand on such medicines, for public welfare. The restrictions were already in place, however, very recently doctors were again instructed against prescribing antibiotics in a routine-manner. Moreover, these medicines are not dispensed without doctor's prescription at pharmacies, he added.
Meanwhile, there is a dire shortage of an allergy medicine, Fenistil drops (dimethindene maleate), which is widely prescribed to paediatric patients in the country. Pharmacies report having to turn down a number of people come asking for the medicine, which they say have no equally safe substitute.
'We have been seeing a hike in demand for Fenistil drops since government hospital stopped prescribing cough medication for paediatric patients, Vyas said.
Cough and cold medicines that are safe for adults can cause serious side effects, including life threatening ones in children under the age of two. Hence such medicines are not usually prescribed at hospitals.
'Doctors at the emergency departments prescribe the drops and tell patients to get this medicine from outside as it is a safe medicine. However, currently Fenistil and few other medicines are not available here. It is not available with the main agent, he said.
However, what makes matters worse is the fact that unlike other common medicines, there seems to be no substitute to Fenistil drops, pharmacists say. 'At pharmacies, we cannot substitute it with any other medicines, though doctors call up saying to give Citrizine, which most of the parents refrain from buying, due to the side effects, a pharmacist said. While pharmacies in the country are always ready with enough stock of allergy and flu-medicines during season change, the strategy did not work out in the case of Fenistil drops.
Meanwhile, talking to The Peninsula, another expert stressed that some agents refrain from getting medicines due to less profitability. 'Rates of various medicines in Qatar are hugely subsidised and hence it is not profitable for agents or the manufacturers. So unless there is a bulk request, the agents refrain from bringing in these medicines, said Abdulrahman E P, Managing Director, Care and Cure Group. Market enquiries show that the Fenistil drop costs less than QR 10.
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