E-DRUG: Ketamine battle rages (5) BMA and others express their views
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Hi all
South Africa does not have a direct vote in this case, but can try to
influence the African and other developing countries that can contribute
to the decision. The letter of support below is from the Guardian, as 'fair
use'.
Regards
Andy
~~~
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/02/uk-government-vote-against-united-nations-ketamine-control-plan
UK government must vote against the United Nations' ketamine control plan
Monday 2 March 2015 20.13 GMT
Proposals being brought before the UN to restrict global access to
ketamine would leave the two billion people living in the most rural
areas of developing countries with no alternative anaesthetic for vital
surgeries (Ketamine control plan condemned as potential disaster for
world's rural poor, theguardian.com, 27 February). Ketamine is an
essential medicine used for anaesthesia. In developing countries it is
commonly used in caesarean sections and without it many women enduring
difficult labours would die, as they would be deprived of life-saving
surgery. While it is not commonly used in the UK, it is used from time
to time and would be difficult to replace.
A wide range of national and international medical organisations have
voiced concerns about the proposals, and we are especially concerned by
the UK government's intention to abstain on the UN vote. This, in
reality, would amount to a vote in favour of the proposals.
Like many important medicines, ketamine is misused by a small proportion
of the population in mainly western countries. We cannot allow this to
stop huge numbers of people living in some of the most deprived parts of
the world, under some of the weakest health systems, from accessing
life-saving medicines. We are urging the UK government to listen to the
voices of medical and international organisations and to vote against
these proposals.
Dr Ian Wilson Chair, BMA representative body
Dr Andrew Hartle President, Association of Anaesthetists of Great
Britain and Ireland
Dr J-P van Besouw President, Royal College of Anaesthetists
Dr Robert Bingham President, Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of
Great Britain and Ireland
Dr David Wilkinson President, World Federation of Societies of
Anaesthesiologists
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Andy Gray BPharm MSc(Pharm) FPS FFIP
* Senior Lecturer
Division of Pharmacology
Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences
School of Health Sciences
* Consultant Pharmacist (Research Associate)
Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)
University of KwaZulu-Natal
PBag 7 Congella 4013
South Africa
email: graya1@ukzn.ac.za or andy@gray.za.net
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