KARACHI, Oct 30: Inappropriate understanding on the part of caretakers, mainly mothers, of administration of medicated syrups as per the dosage recommended by physicians is exposing a significant number of children to either unnecessary prolongation of illness or unnecessary toxicity.
About 291 syrups of varied brands are available in the market, but there is no provision for measuring device with them.
During a study conducted by the Network for Consumer Protection in Pakistan, it was found that only 37 per cent of all marketed syrups had one or the other kind of measuring device — 28.40 per cent had spoons, five per cent were with cups and 3.30 per cent carried both.
There is tendency on the part of local prescribers to mention the recommended dose in terms of TSF, without elaborating whether it stands for teaspoonful or tablespoonful.
Although the standard approach to administer a certain drug to children is to calculate a dose based on the body weight of a child, doctors convert this to the confusing “TSF.” Manufacturers give their specification in mls.
The major problem thus generally identified by the survey is of insufficient dosage as around 61 per cent of mothers are administering quantities less than recommended dosages. Around 25 per cent of mothers are found to be overdosing their children who are exposed to toxic levels of medicines, hazardous for normal liver functioning.
The survey also noticed that uneducated mothers are inclined to overdose, whereas the educated ones are more careful in administering medicine to their children.
The overall assessment of the survey revealed that 86 per cent children are getting wrong dosages of syrup medications. Out of them 61 per cent are being under-dosed, which means unnecessary prolongation of illness, which may be a factor in malnutrition or high morbidity as well as mortality. Twenty five per cent get high, toxic doses which can cause increased morbidity and mortality.—APP
