Karachi, (PR) : Epilepsy Foundation Pakistan President and noted neurologist of the country Dr Fowzia Siddiqui has expressed concern about costly medicines for the treatment of epilepsy.
Speaking at the 2nd 360° Neuro Summit in Malaysia, she said that the cost of neurological medicines and sales of Pharma industry is the highest after the cancer drugs. She said that the WHO has declared the medicines for treatment of epilepsy as the lifesaving medicines. She asked for not only price control of these drugs but also for giving subsidy on them.
In her keynote lecture, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui further said that the neuropathic pain damages nerves. She said awareness about this is crucial as in the South Asia the prevalence of diabetes is very high. She said presently Pakistan is the top most country in the world regarding the diabetes prevalence. She spoke about the medicines to treat neuropathic pain. She urged use of vitamins for brain and nerves but also cautioned about the toxicity of the excessive use of vitamins. She spoke on the role of vitamin B12 in Neuropsychiatric conditions and the role of Levetiracetam in emergency epilepsy treatment. She also gave awareness about the role of Pregablin in neuropathic pain and epilepsy.
Other experts, Dr Wan Aliaa Binti Wan Sullivan and Prof Dr Liyana Najwa Binti Inche Mat praised the keynote of Dr Fowzia. They told that in Malaysia special medicines are sponsored by the government. They stressed the need for collaboration in research. They said prevention is better than cure.