Bitter Pills:Medicines & The Third World Poor | Page 184

The World Health Organization says:
f f A number of medicines, which are of
no value and are even dangerous, are often given
to treat diarrhoea. Money and time are
wasted in their use.99So...

WHO Says LOMOTIL
has NO VALUE?
LOMOTIL (diphenoxylate/atropine) is made by the US
multinational drug company, G.D. Searle; and
promoted to physicians all over the world in terms
such as "established success", "good tolerance",
"excellent value" and "ideal for every situation". This
leaflet — prepared and published by Social Audit Ltd.,
and friends* — calls into question these claims.
LOMOTIL may be of value in giving symptomatic relief
for non-specific "travellers' diarrhoea" in adults. But
experts say Lomotil — and other products like i t ' —
have little or no place in the treatment of young
children — especially in developing countries, where
infective diarrhoeas are the major cause of death in
children aged under three.' Lomotil's limitations
include:

POTENTIAL DANGERS
"Lomotil, which I* widely uaed In th«
treatment of diarrhoea In tha paedlatrlc aga
group, la dangeroua and unwarranted. . .
we urge that all physician* treating Infanta
and children avoid tha potentially dangeroue
us* of Lomotil for the treatment of
diarrhoea."
(Clinical Notes [1974])>
"Lomotil can relieve the symptoms of acute
gastroenteritis In children, but It can also
mask the algna of dehydration and cause
fatal toxic reactions.. . use of this
combination for treatment of diarrhoea In
children la hazardous."
(The Medical Letter[1980])'
"Lomotil Is a dangerous combination of
drugs contra-Indicated for children under 2
years of age and probably never Indicated In
childhood diarrhoea."
(Pediatrics [1980D1

QUESTIONABLE USEFULNESS
"The use of Lomotil as an antldlarrhoeal
agent In children Is difficult to Justify... we
doubt If It has any place In the treatment of
diarrhoea In children."
(Arch, of DIs. In Child. 119791)"
"A diarrhoea that needs 4 such tableta to be
cured would probably have been cured
without It too. A more prolonged diarrhoea
needs proper Investigation and specific
therapy rather than a blindly harmful
stopcock."
(Leb. Mad. J. (1974))'

ECONOMIC WASTE