Prednisone Abuse by Ayurvedic Quacks in Sri Lanka
Posted on May 30th, 2011
By Anil Perera
I have read with sadness the reported case of cricketer Upul Tharanga being tested positive for the banned substance Prednisone.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sunday Times claims that Prednisolone was prescribed to him by a well known alternate medical practitioner.
Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug used to treat certain inflammatory diseases. It is used in the treatment of asthma, allergic disorders and rheumatic disorders. Improperly used it has serious side effects leading to diabetes, depression, glaucoma, cataracts and a host of other conditions.
Unfortunately some unscrupulous quacks who call themselves Ayurvedic doctors abuse Prednisone and include it in very high doses in their arishtaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s etc. I have heard about even some well known Ayurvedic practitioners resorting to this despicable practice. They claim to cure asthma and other respiratory illnesses and the unsuspecting patients are given high doses of Prednisone.
It is high time that the Ministry of Health take some action to stop these Ayurvedic quacks abusing Prednisone. It is a highly effective drug used in the correct doses, but it should be prescribed only by a qualified medical practitioner and not by any Ayurvedic doctors. If the authorities conduct some random tests on these Ayurvedic medicine they would be able to see the magnitude of the problem.
May 31st, 2011 at 4:06 am
Its Very Important to have appointed special commitee & authorities to check all outlets where these kind of drugs available for sale & specially they are abiding to the rules & prescriptions by authorized persons only.
Health Ministry’s sole responsibility should be upon these issues.