Hydroxychloroquine not available in market
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: The patients suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis in J&K who have been advised HCQS 200 or 400 mg ( Hydroxychloroquine) by doctors as treatment are facing problems as the drug is not available in the market since the spread of Novel COVID-19 after the doctors opined that the drug can be a possible alternative to treat the patients suffering from dreaded Corona Virus Pandemic globally.
According to sources, the Rheumatoid Arthritis patients who are dependent on this drug for years together to get relief from the pain and swelling are in great trouble as the drug is not available any where in the market since the spread of COVID-19 and announcement of nation wide Lockdown by the Government.
Sources said the patients needing the medicine badly have visited every chemist shop but they could not get the medicine any where. Even some of the patients said that they contacted the official help line number also but could not get any response from there. A patient who is dependent on the drug for a long time said that she is crying with the pain as the drug is not available anywhere in the market.
The Drug Controller J&K Lokita Khajuria when contacted said that the drug is not available in the market as people have started stocking it for months together. She said the patients who are taking it as medicine on doctors prescription can contact the Government helpline number and the Department will arrange the medicine for them. She said even such patients can contact her and she will issue instructions for arranging the medicine for them.
She said people had started stocking the drug for four months which the Government will not allow as we may need it in emergency purposes also so we will at no cost allow its stocking.
The people dealing in wholesale as well as retail medicine business also said that the medicine is not available in the market since the Government announced the lockdown and it was opined by the doctors that Hydroxychloroquine can be a possible medicine to contain the Corona Virus.
Sources said since then the Government gave instructions to restrain its open sale in the market as the drug may be needed for treatment of Corona Virus patients in emergency cases. Moreover, the Government has also got the requisition of the drug from foreign countries where the COVID -19 has created a havoc by taking a heavy toll till date.
According to doctors the Hydroxychloroquine is also used to prevent or treat the malaria caused by mosquito bites. This medication as per doctors is also used to treat certain auto immune diseases (Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis). It belongs to a class of medications known as disease-modifying anti Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). It can reduce the skin problems in lupus and prevent swelling and pain in Arthritis.
Doctors said the medicine is taken by mouth with food to prevent stomach upset, as per the directives of the doctor under whose treatment the patient is. The dosage and length of the treatment is based on the patients medical condition and his response to treatment, doctors added.
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