Pharmacist warns of anti-flu drug resistance

By k on August 3, 2009

BANGKOK, Aug 3 (TNA) – A senior pharmacist warned Monday that prescriptions of the anti-flu drug Oseltamivir at clinics may lead to drug resistance, and advised that clinics should refer children’s cases to hospitals immediately on diagnosis.

Asst Prof Dr Nityada Kiartyingangsuree, chair of the Regulatory Committee for Medicinal System Development, said at the panel’s meeting on Monday that distribution of the front line anti-flu drug Oseltamivir to clinics can pose major complications for the public as the Ministry of Public Health has no information on medicine storage and consumption for patients but it has advise only for doctors.

Dr Nityada, who also heads the Chulalongkorn University Social Pharmacy Research Unit said the anti-viral drug can cause the virus to develop resistance to the drug if patients fail to take it on time or finish a required course.

The capsules must be stored at the temperature between 15-25 degrees Celsius. Liquid formulation of Oseltamivir must be kept in amber glass bottles. Parents have to shake the bottle before dispensing the liquid drug for their children.

The liquid medication must not be mixed with milk for children to drink as it can reduce the effectiveness of the drug, she said.

Speaking of distributing Oseltamivir to 150 clinics in the central province of Ratchaburi, she said it’s a burden for doctors (at clinics) to spend more time for diagnosis and that clinics lack pharmacists to prepare the liquid formulation of Oseltamivir for young patients. She advised that children having fallen ill be sent to hospitals. (TNA)

Anti-flu drug distributed to hospitals nationwide BANGKOK, July 28 (TNA) – Thailand’s Ministry of Public...
Oseltamivir to be distributed to clinic on Monday BANGKOK, 30 July 2009 (NNT) – The Public Health...
FDA to register Oseltavimir for children BANGKOK, 21 August 2009 (NNT) – The Food and Drug...
Russian H1N1 seed virus for vaccine trials mutates BANGKOK, Aug 25 (TNA) - The seed virus strain imported...
death toll from new flu reaches 65 BANGKOK, July 29 (TNA) – The Public Health Ministry on...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Readers Comments

Business News »

New trading policy to boost number of Japanese investors

March 12, 2010

BANGKOK, 12 March 2010 (NNT) - Japanese investors will likely pay attention to the new trading policy rather than political problems.
According to Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanich, current political problem would not hurt investor confidence and would not raise any concerns during his trip to Japan on 12-13 March. Japanese investors would rather be attentive to [...]

Bank And Finance »

Security, cash reserves of banks well-prepared

March 12, 2010

BANGKOK, 12 March 2010 (NNT) – Commercial Banks have prepared security measures and adequate cash reserves upon the mass demonstration of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).
Kasikorn Bank CEO Banthoon Lamsam stated that cash withdrawal of customers at present was normal, and the bank would not increase the amount of cash reserves [...]

General News »

Govt, UDD urged for endurance, mutual responsibility

March 12, 2010

BANGKOK, 12 March 2010 (NNT) – The Psychiatric Association of Thailand (PAT) has pleaded both the government and the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to uphold endurance and mutual responsibility to refrain from violence.
PAT President MD Yongyud Wongpiromsarn stated that both the UDD and the government must uphold tolerance and mutual responsibility without [...]

Economy »

Commerce Ministry urges continued production during rally

March 12, 2010

BANGKOK, 12 March 2010 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry requests department stores and manufacturers of goods to make sure that there will be no shortages of products during the period of protests of the anti-government group.
After meeting with representatives of 40 department stores and manufacturers, Department of Trade Negotiation Director-General Chutima Boonyaprapat advised them to [...]

Energy »

More energy needed: more solutions wanted

March 10, 2010

BANGKOK, 10 March 2010 (NNT) - The Ministry of Energy hosts the ‘Fuel Options for Electricity Generation’ seminar to discuss possible energy alternatives for Thailand
Minister of Energy, Dr Wannarat Channukul, presided over the opening ceremony advising public and private sectors to not emphasize development on a certain alternative energy source too much. Disruption of energy [...]

Politics »

Security tightened, checkpoints scan for weapons as Red Shirts nationwide set to enter Bangkok

March 12, 2010

BANGKOK, March 12 (TNA) - Thai government security forces on Friday tightened protective measures in Bangkok with checkpoints set up across the capital and surrounding provinces to strictly screen incoming travellers and transport for arms and explosives as the anti-government movement mobilises what it claims as one million protesters to join their mass protest planned [...]

Amazon.com Widgets