A KNOWN and frequently prescribed relaxant-cum-sedative, Lexotanil 3mg, has suddenly disappeared from the shelves of pharmacies. Till a couple of months ago, this medicine was available over-the-counter even without a prescription, but now it is hard to get hold of it.

According to medical stores in Karachi, the reason given to them for the removal of the said drug is that the authorities want to control the drug mafia.

Regardless of how this step will control the said mafia, the medicine concerned is used by senior citizens suffering from anxiety and sleep disturbances. While this medicine cannot be found at most medical stores, it is available at some where it is being sold at much higher prices than the designated retail price. Old people with sleep disorders having no option buy this medicine at double the actual price in order to sleep well at night.

The relevant authorities may make the medicine available at least against a valid medical prescription, but withdrawing it from market to ‘control drug mafia’ does not make much sense; any sense at all.

The relevant authorities should make this medicine available for the old and the sick at the earliest.

Dr Arifa Farid
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2021