LAHORE, June 1: The price of essential medicine for patients suffering from gastroenteritis has increased 100 per cent during the last one month following the disease outbreak across the Punjab.

The increase shows that the government has no control even over life-saving drugs’ prices.

A survey showed that IV Fluids, Ringer’s lactate 1000 CC or 500 CC, available in the market at Rs320 per box (10 drips) a month before, were now being sold at Rs640. Doctors apprehend further increase.

“Sub-standard IV Fluids are also being marketed, exposing patients to allergy reaction,” says a doctor who pleads that the government must take a serious view of the situation.

Punjab Health Minister Tahir Ali Javed was not available for comments.

Some two-dozen people, including children, have lost their lives in Faisalabad and Shiekhupura during the last couple of weeks after contracting gastroenteritis, a disease caused by drinking contaminated water or loss of water due to high temperature.

To avoid the disease, doctors advise people to use boiled water. They say that contaminated water carries coliform bacteria. Its presence in drinking water causes diseases like dysentery, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. They suggest that the government agencies should carry out regular chlorination of water supply in the affected areas, replace defective water-supply pipes and install water purification systems there.

Conference: The two-day annual conference of the Pakistan Society of Anesthesiologists will be held on Saturday at a local hotel.

PSA president Dr Shahida Khwaja and secretary Dr Arshad Taqi told media at the Lahore Press Club on Thursday that about 250 delegates from Pakistan and abroad would participate in the conference.

They said the theme of the conference was “Quality assurance in anesthesia.”

The society was one of such organisations that catered to the needs of anesthesiologists, they added.

“Anesthesia is now safe because of rapid developments in drugs, equipment and better trained personnel. Role of the anesthesiologist is no longer confined to the operation theatre. They play a pivotal role in preparation of the patients for surgery and their care after operation. ICU where critically ill patients receive intensive care, are mostly staffed and run by the anesthesia personnel. Chronic pain, most distressing of the symptoms for which traditional painkillers offer little relief, is managed in pain clinics by the anesthesiologists. Nevertheless, they are still searching for recognition of their role,” they said.

They said the local and foreign experts would highlight the advancement in the drugs and equipment in anesthesia and intensive care.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi would be the chief guest at the inaugural session, they concluded.