In the last couple of weeks everyone' attention capturing issue was Pioglitazone causing bladder cancer among Diabetes. Pioglitazone an oral anti diabetic drug was banned on June 18, 2013 stating its cause for bladder cancer among diabetes patients.
The Evidence Union Ministry has was "Eight cases" of bladder cancer in patients who are on Pioglitazone. The immediate reaction was BAN THE DRUG as any panicked would do. In the next month the Ban was revoked! Wow what a surprise, plus the Ministry ordered to label the box as harmful drug.
Based on this Eight cases the Ministry had Banned a drug over night. The only Indian study available was on 958 patients who are on Pioglitazone with no cancer after two years. This is the only scientifically valid data currently available.
This decision make process evokes the dubitable skill of the Ministry. Why is that there is no scientific search process behind a major decision? If the clause it to BAN something on its immediate cause and effect for a disease, why not BAN Cigarettes/Tobacco?
If by going with facts, 80% of the people with Type 2 Diabetes are over weight and most of them are smokers/Tobacco consumers. Why not BAN them? Smoking is considered to be a the major cause for Lung Cancer, TB and what not. Isn't this laymen statistics enough to BAN it? Unless a decision is taken rationally for a country with 110+ crore population, Irrational decisions like these in Public Health is equal to nurture a Wolf to grow in Kindergarden.
The Evidence Union Ministry has was "Eight cases" of bladder cancer in patients who are on Pioglitazone. The immediate reaction was BAN THE DRUG as any panicked would do. In the next month the Ban was revoked! Wow what a surprise, plus the Ministry ordered to label the box as harmful drug.
Based on this Eight cases the Ministry had Banned a drug over night. The only Indian study available was on 958 patients who are on Pioglitazone with no cancer after two years. This is the only scientifically valid data currently available.
This decision make process evokes the dubitable skill of the Ministry. Why is that there is no scientific search process behind a major decision? If the clause it to BAN something on its immediate cause and effect for a disease, why not BAN Cigarettes/Tobacco?
If by going with facts, 80% of the people with Type 2 Diabetes are over weight and most of them are smokers/Tobacco consumers. Why not BAN them? Smoking is considered to be a the major cause for Lung Cancer, TB and what not. Isn't this laymen statistics enough to BAN it? Unless a decision is taken rationally for a country with 110+ crore population, Irrational decisions like these in Public Health is equal to nurture a Wolf to grow in Kindergarden.
Awesome reply to union minister.
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