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Ref: SLL/GEN-11/2008 December 1, 2008
HONORABLE RAJA MUHAMMAD ASAD KHAN
(Chairman Standing Committee on Environment)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD.
Subject: De-Registration of Diclofenac Sodium for Veterinary Use.
Dear Sir,
With your kind permission, we wish to draw your kind attention towards the subject of banning Diclofenac Sodium Injection for veterinary use by the previous standing committee on Environment of National Assembly of Pakistan. The withdrawal of a very useful veterinary drug has created a lot of disturbance in veterinary profession. To appraise your good-self on this subject, our submissions are as followings:
- The matter was taken to previous standing committee on environment by certain elements having their specific interests. Most of the worthy participants were not fully aware about the facts; very few concerned were invited to attend the proceeding of the meeting. We feel that the recommendations given by the previous esteemed committee on environment for banning Diclofenac Sodium were based on the misleading information provided. We further wish to inform that the decision was taken in hurry and no opportunity was provided to the concerned to discuss the issue in details.
- The decision has been taken on the basis of a controversial research paper published by Dr. Aleem & Associates of Baha-Ud-Deen Zakarya University, Multan. A seminar was arranged by W.W.F Lahore to evaluate the report of Dr. Aleem on vulture decline. This seminar was attended by more than fifty eminent scientists from different universities and concerned departments. A whole day session was conducted under the chairmanship of Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, Vice Chancellor University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Lahore. The conclusion was:
That the causes of vulture decline are still in question and more research is required to find out the actual causes."
- While taking the decision of banning Diclofenac Sodium Injection, no importance was given to the views of concerned experts; even the comments of veterinary expert committee comprising of Director Generals of Livestock of all provinces and senior professors from veterinary universities were totally ignored. The views of veterinary experts committee were:
Diclofenac Sodium has a well established therapeutic use in human and animals. The suggestion of banning its use in animals on a single study is not advisable, it needs more research by veterinary scientists."
- The major factors responsible for vulture decline world over identified by other scientists were totally ignored. According to various research papers published in the authenticated journals the following major factors have been established for decrease in vulture population:
- Scarcity of food
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Breeding failure
- Loss of habitants & urbanization
- Gun Shooting
- Diclofenac Sodium is a safe anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic drug; it has a short half life of one to two hours. (Martindale Pharmacology). Researches conducted world over in animals have established its high excretion rate. In Pakistan Diclofenac Sodium is injected once in 24 hours to ailing animals. It does not have any prolonged use; in most of the cases 2 or 3 injections are sufficient to treat the animals. The drug having rapid excretion properties and short treatment duration have no chance to have residual effects in treated animals. This may happen with the drug having long half life and excessive use.
- The research published by Dr. Aleem on which the whole process of banning Diclofenac Sodium was engineered seems to be hypothetical. No any other research in any part of the world has identified Diclofenac Sodium as a sole contributor to the vulture decline. The factors identified in other researches conducted in various parts of the world have no relations with the research of Dr. Aleem & Associates.
- The customers (farmers) of veterinary drugs are uneducated and are scattered in remote areas. Any new introduction takes years to be popularized with them. Diclofenac Preparations for veterinary use were registered in late in Pakistan. Dr. Aleem started his research in year 2000 and he himself in his research have mentioned that vulture decline have been noticed since decades. It confirms that the decline in vulture population have been observed before the launching of Diclofenac Sodium veterinary use in Pakistan.
- We humbly request that facts and figures reveal that Diclofenac Sodium Injection have no relation with the decline of vulture population in Pakistan. Due to non-availability of any potent and economical drug in livestock, the veterinary professionals are facing tremendous difficulties in the field. This all happenings have severe impact on the livelihood of poor farmers. Under the circumstances submitted above, it is requested to your honor:
- A meeting of standing committee on environment should be called for review of this matter for immediate suspension of the previous recommendations.
- More researches in this connection should be conducted to find out the actual causes of vulture decline in Pakistan.
The Objectives of our presentation is to safeguard the entire national interest. We are sure that the remedy provided in this regard will be highly appreciated by the poor people of Pakistan.
Yours Sincerely,
DR. MUHAMMAD LATIF
(President)
VPAP
VETERINARY PARACTIONERS ASSOCIATION OF PAKISTAN |
