KARACHI, Oct 25: The health department does not have any mechanism through which they could inform the local doctors of the medicines which were banned worldwide, according to the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA).

This was the main reason why the doctors continued to prescribe such drugs. Dr Qaiser Sajjad, secretary-general of the PMA's Karachi chapter, urged the authorities on Monday to develop a system under which the doctors could be told about the banned drugs, possibly after involving the bodies which represented the medical community.

Responding to a news item, which said the internationally-banned product 'Vioxx' was being prescribed unabashedly in the country, he said: "No one should be surprised at such news items because similar instances have taken place in the past as well. No head has ever rolled on this account."

Dr Sajjad was of the opinion that many drugs besides Vioxx needed to be taken off the list of medicines prescribed locally. He underscored the need for a joint effort by the health authorities and doctors' associations in this regard.

"The health department should realize that such efforts could not succeed if the medical community at large was not involved. That is why we are suggesting close liaison with the department on this issue."