How useful are pharmaceuticals in managing diarrhoeal diseases in developing countries?
Harris, S.; Black, R.E.
Health Policy and Planning 6(2): 141-147
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0268-1080 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/6.2.141Document Number: 314851
In a useful overview (which incorporates data from the available world literature), the authors have sought to stress once again the importance of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) as the correct method of management of acute diarrhoeal disease in developing countries; this is underused, and pharmaceutical agents (often of no proven efficacy) are prescribed too liberally. Use of antibiotics exposes the patients to the risk of side-effects and also contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-resistance in bacterial pathogens. Antiperistaltic agents are both ineffective and potentially harmful and are not indicated in management. In addition, pharmaceutical agents are expensive, and most people in developing countries can ill afford them. Therefore, essential drug policies should be evolved, and training and education should be targeted to correct therapy; above all the widespread use of ORT should be positively advocated.G.C. Cook.