 |
Tuesday, April 20, 2004 Dear Consumer Partners, Consumer Organization Meet Belize Minister of Health Members of the Belmopan Consumer Organization met the Belize Minister of Health Vildo Marin and Chief Pharmacist Sharon Sanchez on Monday of this week. At this meeting Consumers explained the potential benefits for using the newer second generation anti-psychotic SGA medications and other psychotherapeutic drugs. These so called atypical drugs are now generally more widely prescribed in the developed world, as they cause fewer side effects. These drugs have the ability to bring the needed interplay of neurotransmitters in the brain and simultaneously bring a greater sense of well being. One SGA is Risperdal, which is effectively used to treat both bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia. Consumers explained to the Minister of Health that the high cost of the newer drugs, like Risperdal, made them unreachable to most. In reality, it is the First-generation antipsychotics FGA that are mostly included in the Belize Formulary list. While these drugs relieve symptoms they come at a huge toll to patients. According to the Ludbeck Institute, a research body on the Central Nervous System, FGAs’ are associated with a high risk of side effects and can be inconvenient, disabling and dangerous. As a result many patients go off these drugs only to have a relapse. Examples of FGAs’ are Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine and Haloperidol. Minister of Health Marin told consumers that he was well aware that some medications had great side effects. He also said that his Ministry is committed to buying medications of quality. Some SGAs’ have been proposed by Belizean experts for inclusion in the National Formulary List. Approval of these state of the art drugs would bring general relief from the debilitating effects that the current FGAs’ and other psychotherapeutic drugs are now having. Some of the new medications that have been submitted to Government for approval are Risperdal, Ativan (liquid and sublingual), Akineton, Paxil tab, Epival, Wellbutrin and Altruline. Belize’s Chief Pharmacist, Ms. Sharon Sanchez told Consumers that some of the new drugs will be placed to tender in the next few months. Cordially, Orlando Pulido Chairperson Belmopan Consumer Organization General Delivery, # 46 Western Highway, Santa Elena Town, Cayo District Belize, Central America Tel/Fax: 824-2807 Vice-President–Patty Enriquez–Tel: 802-1196 Treasurer–Christine Chiac–Tel: 600-5370 Secretary–Claudelle Rubateau–Tel: 822-0604 You will need to be live on the Internet for this action on link to work. To view photos of related Consumer activities click on the link as follows: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4069299&a=31195801&pw= Other Address Acute Psychiatric Unit Western Regional Hospital Feloner Drive, Belmopan City Belize, Central America Fax: 822-2518/8220512
|