With this letter, I want to draw the attention of public and relevant authorities to a serious issue of dexamethasone tablet, recently announced as a lifesaving drug for COVID-19 patients, and consequently are running short in Islamabad. People these days have access to the latest information, which is sometimes not good in the public interest. Previously we have seen that people have bought chloroquine in huge amount after an irresponsible statement from US president. and later on, Acterma Injection which is currently used as a symptomatic treatment for COVID-19 patients went short and its price is up to five lacs in the black market. If Drug regulatory authority (DRAP) does not take a step at a time, we will face a shortage of dexamethasone and its price will also increase.
We need to create awareness in the public that this medicine is only prescribed by the doctor and given to serious patients of COVID-19. Nobody needs to stock this medicine for self-medication. As a nation, collectively we have to curb the malpractice of illegal storage and sale of medicine in the black market.
Muhammad Saad Khan, Islamabad
