Judicious use of drugs

The news “Banned drugs being sold here” published in THT some days ago has brought out an important issue. Every drug has its advantages and disadvantages. A recent report has revealed that more than 500 people die of Paracetamol complications in England every year. Should England ban Paracetamols then?

Some decades ago, Thalidomide was banned in the world market, but India has recently reintroduced the molecule for the treatment of cancer patients. Hence, there should be a judicious use of drugs rather than banning it hurriedly.

Similarly, Nimesulide has been confirmed as safe as any other NSAID by European Medicines Evaluation Agency and the Delhi High Court has also given its verdict in favour of the use of Nimesulide. The drug department at home is also highly concerned about the use of Nimesulide. After a lot of brain storming sessions, the department has withdrawn Nimesulide suspension (that was imposed after few hypothermia cases were reported in paediatric patients) and has given permission for manufacturing these tablets. Nimesulide is no different than any other NSAID so far as safety is concerned, but the molecule had been sunk into the vortex of conspiracy, created by other age-old giant companies selling NSAID.

My intention of writing this letter is to invite a healthy criticism on any drugs’ use rather than discarding it without evaluating its impact for future consumption.

Diwakar Chhetri, Bansbari

Lift quota

When the World Trade Organisation (WTO) members and the European Union will lift all the quotas on textile imports, China and India are likely to be the main beneficiaries of this 40-year-old quota system. However, the Nepali textile industries are all about to close. Thousands of people associated with textile industry are unemployed and the country is losing many dollars in remittance and revenue. What is then the benefit of acquiring the WTO membership for Nepal? It was declared that in 2005, textile import quotas would be lifted but no homework has been done to sustain our textile industry. As a WTO member, it is true that we have to abide by its rules, but the government should weigh its impact on Nepali industry too.

We have to address the economic conditions facing our country in WTO and as a Least Developed Country should demand more facilities in order to sustain our industries. We have to find new ways to compete in the international market and this will certainly not be achieved by closing down the running industries.

Ramesh Neupane, Mahankal

Child labour

Thousands of children are being exploited in Nepal and thus child labour has been a major concern for all of us since a long time. But, neither the government nor the organisations involved in the protection of child rights have been able to achieve much in this issue.

In Nepal, there are many families that depend upon these children for survival. So, we can hardly blame those families that send their children to work. Since the poor villagers cannot afford to send their children to school, they are instead sent for manual jobs to supplement the family income. It is the people who exploit these kids are actually to be blamed. This needs to change. Children should be provided with proper education. They deserve right physical facilities, good food and a conducive atmosphere to develop their abilities. Making the children toil day and night to support their families is wrong.

Utsav Shrestha, via e-mail