E-DRUG: Ketamine battle rages (7) EPN Statement
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March 4, 2015
ECUMENICAL PHARMACEUTICAL NETWORK'S STATEMENT ON CHINA'S PROPOSAL ON
KETAMINE CONTROL PLAN
Access to essential medicines is one cornerstone to achieving health
goals. Without essential medicines being available when patients need
them, bad outcomes occur. The Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN)
has members who provide health services including surgical services in
over 30 countries. Our members use considerable amounts of Ketamine
saving lives through surgery often under difficult circumstances. The
resolution to schedule Ketamine as a category 1 product that China
proposes will lead to insufficient supply of this much needed drug
through unwarranted controls and create bottlenecks to order and stock
Ketamine. If current national regulations are weak, they can be
strengthened without compromising access to this much needed essential
medicines.
The Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network and its members vehemently oppose
the resolution by China that will result in limiting access to Ketamine,
a life saving drug. EPN aims to improve the quality of pharmaceutical
services provided by its member institutions and guarantee equal access
to all without discrimination. It is an international NGO working with
Faith Based Organizations who provide from 20 to 50% of health care
services in most African countries by promoting access to essential
medicines and promoting rational use of these medicines.
All EPN member facilities in over 30 countries, in Africa, India and
Moldova use Ketamine for their surgical procedures and cannot do without
it. In Zambia for example the Churches Health Association of Zambia's
annual need is 7,000 10ml vials of Ketamine 50mg/ml which equates to
35,000 anaesthetics. Our member in Germany Action Medeor, distributes
about 16,500 vials (10 ml) of Ketamine (50 mg/ml) per year, mainly to
small and middle-sized health facilities in Africa. The Zambian EPN
member has stated 'Control procedures will make product availability and
access difficulty resulting in many patients going without necessary
surgeries'�. Other comments from members are that 'restricting Ketamine
will constitute a death blow on many surgeries in Cameroon and
elsewhere'�.
While we appreciate regulations, they should never
compromise access to life saving drugs and vital drugs of which Ketamine
is one. Already hospital facilities in India are feeling the negative
effect of not having and being able to access Ketamine for their
patients. Regulations should promote acces to vital, essential
medicines. Ketamine is one of the safest narcotic drugs that have saved
many lives. We thus implore and urge your respected body to reject this
resolution and find ways through consultations that will promote and not
limit access to vital drugs like Ketamine.
Co-signed and supported by 26 EPN affiliates
Mirfin M Mpundu
Executive Director
Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network
P.O. Box 749
-�00606
Sarit Centre,
Nairobi, Kenya :
www.epnetwork.org
info@epnetwork.org
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