Doctors sometimes prescribe medicines for patients without considering their age and occasionally, this causes bad effects. The Medical Association recalls doctors to update their knowledge before prescribing any medicine.-By Diane Uwimana
Dr Gordien Ngendakuriyo: “The medical information changes progressively and doctors should evolve with the time. There are researches, seminars, workshops, conferences, surveys… which are always done.”©Iwacu
Two recent cases have occurred in a private hospital when a couple of mothers met there had the same problems. “My child was suffering from an earache i.e an ear infection. A paediatrician has prescribed to my son a drug called “Augmentin” which was supposed to be effective but suddenly he started to feel bad”, states one of the mothers in the waiting-room of the hospital. She indicates that after taking the medicine, he has started vomiting, having diarrhoea and allergic reactions to all his body. “By coincidence, I have looked into the leaflet and have found that the drug is normally prescribed for a child aged 30 months instead of 14, the age of my son”, says the mother. M. E. is another mother who faced the same problem. “My child was suffering and a doctor prescribed her a drug called “Vantolin”. Suddenly, the situation went worse and worse. Surprisingly enough, I noted that the drug is actually prescribed for a 2years child while my daughter is only one month old”, she underlines. Dr Amélie Nijimbere, a paediatrician expresses that if there are some drugs prescribed to children and do not match with their age, there is one main reason. She gives one explanation: “The average age indicated on the leaflet, is the sample of children inquired during the survey. In our medical practice, we use it for children under this average age indicated on the notice. The only thing we consider is the weight. If the drug doesn’t match with the ailment, we change it immediately,” mentions Dr Nijimbere.
“Each doctor should evolve with the time”
Dr Gordien Ngendakuriyo, the Chairman of the Medical Association notes that the prescription is made following the weight and age of the patient. “The control is done at two levels. A pharmacist and doctor must work in partnership in order to help the patient. It is strictly forbidden to prescribe medicines without referring to the age”, highlights Dr Ngendakuriyo. In the same way, he continues, “if a doctor is not sure about the prescription, he/she may consult his/her colleagues to give a hand and in his/her turn, he/she can refresh her/his mind. The medical information changes progressively and doctors should evolve with the time. There are researches, seminars, workshops, conferences, surveys… which are always done. So, doctors should update and improve their knowledge through reading, trips, study leaves and participation in different medical sessions in the world if need be, in order to share experience with their colleagues”.
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