Ephedrine is not 'poor man's cocaine': PPMA
The controversial drug recently came into the limelight when a senior official of the health department was arrested in connection with illegal allocation and manipulation of quota to import ephedrine, worth Rs7 billion. The Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) had allegedly established a direct link between Ali Musa Gilani and the multi-billion drug scandal. Ali Musa Gilani is said to have been issued a show cause notice on March 22. Ali Musa Gilani left the country for South Africa, before his name could be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) for his alleged role in the scandal. He is expected to travel to the UK too.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the PPMA said ephedrine was instead a very useful drug derived from the plant of the Ephedra Genus, including E. Sinica and others, which have traditionally been used by indigenous people for a variety of medicinal purposes, including treatment of asthma, fever, and the common cold.
It further said that ephedrine was a decongestant and bronchodilator which works by reducing swelling, constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages and widening the lung airways, allowing the person to breathe more easily.
Every cough and cold mixture has ephedrine as one of the ingredients which is useful especially during winter, when the common cold and cough are common.
The PPMA statement, highlighting the controversial drug’s other benefits, further said that it was also used to treat certain sleep disorders(narcolepsy), menstrual problems (dysmenorrhea), or urine-control problems (incontinence or enuresis).
"Imagine the plight of the patients if ephedrine based preparations disappear from the market, as for some conditions, there is no alternative," the statement said.
Ephedrine use and abuse
Ephedrine is often abused for its stimulant qualities. As a phenylethylamine, ephedrine also has a similar chemical structure to amphetamines. Because of this similarity, it can be used to create methamphetamine using a chemical reduction. This makes ephedrine a highly sought-after chemical precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine use has a high association with depression and suicide as well as heart disease, psychosis, anxiety and violent behaviours. Methamphetamine also has a very high addiction risk.
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"methamphetamine, also known as ecstasy"
"can be easily used in making methamphetamine also known as crack cocaine"
...just want to point out that methamphetamine, ecstasy, and crack cocaine are three different things. Ephedrine is used to make methamphetamine. Ecstasy has a similar structure, but it's still a different molecule. Cocaine has an entirely different molecular structure.
@jibran
There is no alcohol in grapes, sugarcane or potatoes. Anyone with a basic understanding of organic chemistry will tell you that these products need to be FERMENTED, whereby the sugars/simple carbohydrates in them break down into alcohols. You can ferment anything with sugar in it... beets, any fruits, tomatoes, etc. Your argument, therefore, is both asinine and moot.
I am sure the PM's son did it for the poor masses of Pakistan, as per the party's new election manifesto.
by helping some multan labs to import this product musa gilani is helping so many people , as this medicine will now be available in bulk .
@Rahman: Sir I agree with you 100%. I have been buying and using it for decades without any problems. In fact I price shop and buy the max for the min price possible. All I needed to do is give my driver's license or any official ID for their record. Many of the safe substitutes do not do the job. In fact they are all coming out with a version D with this medicine. Regards, Mirza
It can easily be converted to methamphetamine, also known as ecstasy, a recreational drug. This is illegal in many countries. What was the point of producing more ephedrine than the mandated quota ?
Note that United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances under article 12 SUBSTANCES FREQUENTLY USED IN THE ILLICIT MANUFACTURE OF NARCOTIC DRUGS OR PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, bans the diversion of such drugs as they can be used for illicit drug manufacture.
Either the Pakistani PM's son is directly involved in this or not. If he was innocent, why has he run away from country and the father trying to cover his tracks ? Be that as it may, as this is violation of UN rules, an international arrest warrant can be issued for PM's son. How the ladla has enhanced his father's reputation,
might is right..nothing is going to happen to PM Son!!
looking at the story from a different angle, I would say that lets wake up and salute the democracy. Today PM's son on the run. Have you ever heard any case against Ijazul Haq or Humayun Akhtar despite glaring evidence of corruption evident from their lifestyles? No matter our politicians try everything to cover up their corruption but still democracy is the best.
@Jibran @sid is absolutely right. Illicit conversion of Amphetamine from ephedrine is not uncommon and amphetamine is known for drug addiction (I am amazed at this guy, Mosa Gillani's talent, indeed intelligent to buy/promote the "business" in Pak). Otherwise, contrary to what the this piece is conveying, ephedrine has limited use in everyday medical practice.
@sid, sir I am a real practicing physion in united kingdom and prescribe pseudo ephedrine daily your comment is nothing to do with medicine but a very misleading piece of extracted venom against the poltical party It is a shame to abuse these coloumns by posing as a doctor,if you have guts email me and I will be happy for ET to give you my email,addresse
@Usman Ansari: Apparently, either you are misinformed or intentionally misinforming others. I do not know about other countries but it is not banned in America. In PA, most of the c-store and pharmacies sell it over the counter. The only difference is a log book, in which seller logs buyer's name and DL number. In other words, it is restricted but neither banned nor need a doctor's prescription. It is known best inexpensive Asthma medicine in America. Yes, it is highly addictive and has serious side effects.
OK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedrine#Recreationalandillicit_use is what his son was selling. Click on the link for details.
@sid: Mr. Practicing Physician! How hard it is to extract alcohol from grapes, sugarcane, and potatoes. Are you going to ban them as well? The point its if the utility outweighs drawbacks, you don't reverse science. I have no doubt if this person was not Gillani, if his name was Hamza Sharif, our PCO judges won't be wasting their time
hoo boy. where is the outrage? people abuse cough syrup in the west and ephedrine can have stimulant properties. furthermore you can use it to make meth and amphetamines. this is basic biochemistry. Of course the suspect is rich wealthy man and our society believes drug use is only bad when the poor are doing it. wake up people.
the story begs detail
Ephedrine was banned years ago in North America and d Western Europe.
I have been using this drug for over 35 years everyday for my allergies and post nasal drip. There has been no other more efficacious drug that can be available over the counter throughout the world. I have bought cold medicines containing this medicine in Pakistan, Malaysia, India and other countries via Internet only to save money. Only recently the US has restricted the sale of such preparations over the counter and for its side effects. The use of each medicine is in the hands of the user/abuser. People abuse food and die young. They abuse salt despite high BP. Being a lifelong scientist I can understand what this statement is al about. Cold, cough and allergy medications cannot be maligned without finding a better and cheaper substitute. If the courts are so active then they should have a board of doctors make the decision and put these preparations only on prescription. However, most poor Pakistanis cannot afford to go to the doctor and pay him/her upfront before they can buy a cheap cold medication. I have tried many new medications that are safe but they simply do not work for me.
it begs detail