Forget ephedrine – ever heard of dextropropoxyphene?
Already faced with the ephedrine case, another controlled substance-related scandal is shaping up against Makhdoom Shahabuddin.
Records from the devolved federal health ministry indicate that Shahabuddin, during his tenure as health minister, also allowed Danas Pharmaceutical to import 5,000kg of dextropropoxyphene, a controlled substance used in the manufacture of the medical drug darvon, from India in 2010, reliable sources told The Express Tribune.
Danas Pharmaceutical is also one of the two pharmaceutical companies alleged to have benefitted from the ephedrine scandal.
According to the devolved health ministry’s record, Imran Gilani, a partner of Danas Pharmaceutical Islamabad with ties to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), submitted a written request to Shahabuddin in 2010, seeking a no objection certificate (NOC) for the import of 5,000kg of dextropropoxyphene from India. Shahabuddin is said to have accepted Gilani’s request forthwith; in his capacity as a health minister, he is alleged to have directed then director general Health Asad Hafeez to issue the NOC in clear violation of the 1976 Drug Act.
According to the Drug Act, dextropropoxyphene’s one time quota cannot exceed 500kg since, like ephedrine, chances of its misuse are high.
Danas Pharmaceutical, in its request, maintained the 5,000kg dextropropoxyphene quota was intended for flood victims. Industry experts, however, say this was just an excuse to obtain permission for the import of the controlled substance which could later be used to manufacture addictive pills.
In early 2011, the health secretary, on Shahabuddin’s direction, reinstated the ban on dextropropoxyphene import.
The ban orders, however, contained special instructions for Danas Pharmaceutical to dispose the 5,000kg quota it had imported. On receipt of the ban orders, Imran Gilani sought permission on behalf of the company to use the quota. A formal request was then submitted to the health secretary, who subsequently constituted a committee to look into the issue and suggest appropriate measures. Despite numerous meetings with a team from Danas Pharmaceutical, however, the committee could not reach a final decision.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (24)
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Dextropropoxyphene has been withdrawn from markets in EU and the USA since 2007 for the very reason for its side effects including high potential of abuse and dependence and did not present any added benefit than the score of opioid painkillers available in the markets.
One wonders why Health Ministry would allow a banned substance to be allowed for import. And what would be the need for a potent pain killer, with such potentials of abuse, for flood victims.
There are reports that in many parts of Pakistan including Southern and Central Punjab where ex heroin users are now injecting all the readily available, cheaper and potent opioid pain killers that are either smuggled or have been produced illicitly as probably the case above.
Gilanis seem to know a lot about addictive drugs. Brilliant
who can pronounce Dextropropoxyphene in 3 seconds? :)
@Mirza:
I think you are frontman of all these criminals.
@Hairaan: Please dono't worry Raja Perviaz Ahshraf will fulfill your wish.
But no if the CJP takes action against this drug offender it is against democracy according to our liberals
That's why they spend so much on getting elected and becoming ministers: get rich quickly by violating the rules, knowing that as long as their party is in power, no one can touch them (unless the Chief Justice happens to be incorruptible!).
Being a Phrmacist let me tell you that dextropropoxyphene’ is being withdraws in EU and the US. Suicide tendency is a major adverse effect but I guess this is not an issue in the Land of pure. Couldn't agree more with you Basit.....
Tribune seems to have been infiltrated by a veritable phalanx of PPP hoplites.
@Adil: "Wonders"! Please elaborate!
@Mirza: I am convinced now that you are a parody account making fun of liberals and PPP. You should get award for most hilarious post on ET.
What an excuse for a human being this guy is.
The more I see the details of accusations the more I begin to see that the man wasn't someone with criminal intent. He was just guilty of being ignorant. Not insult-ignorant, but simply now knowing-ignorant. He should have known and it's still not good. But, it's still a huge difference when you're talking about a person's character. It does seem, though, that the people giving the directions were probably aware of it. He was probably seen as an easy person to use in the process.
Mirza i agree with you ..this is all a conspiracy to defame the PPP government which has done wonders in 4 years..I would rather vote for Mr zardari to be the president for life of Pakistani nation cause it has a treasure chest of wise people like u.
Dextropropoxyphene is such an addictive ingredient. I was prescribed medication with dextropropoxyphene as the main ingredient for migraine. The body becomes so dependent on it that without realizing it, you're hooked. I used to take 2 tablets a day for many years before I kicked the habit last year. I later confided with my doctor who said that he had stopped prescribing the medication to anyone.
PPP supporters will shout that this is harming democracy. As long as their loot and plunder is hidden democracy is safe, right?
Media does not want him to be PM i guess. Lot of stuff cooked up in past 2 days against him which is true but why cooked up this moment?
And people have the guts to make fun of the SC when it is taking these criminals to task. Shame on us, we deserve what we're getting.
No this is a democratic country and he is an honest leader of the people who is toiling hard to make things better for the common man. All this news is just a conspiracy.
This is all what ppp supporters will say
Saray corrupt gillani's should be put behind bars and we should make an example out of them. Shame on this whole family of lotters and scammers. Sharam ati hai in jaisay logon ko dekh kar .....
A country that has been importing and exporting nuclear technology in violations of every International law and ethics, now all of a sudden has problems with pain and allergy medicines? The two medicines ephedrine and dextropropoxyphene are used for allergy and pain and have been used by hundreds of millions of patients. Recently some of these drugs like many others have been abused by drug addicts who cannot afford expensive heroin and cocaine. One time there were cases of drug smuggling against Zardari also but they all evaporated after keeping him in jail for two decades. Now there are no political prisoners and Sharif have become street wise, the courts have taken the role of political opponents.
This man deserves to be made president instead of PM.