April 10, 2012

Vietnam's health sector uses prohibited drugs despite ban in animal feed

Vietnam's health sector still continues using lean-meat enhancing drugs like Salbutamol and Clenbuterol in the treatment of certain diseases though they have been banned in animal feed production many years ago, the Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Health Ministry said.

Public concerns have been raised as to why these drugs are still in use, especially for child birth, by the health sector.

As per regulations issued by the ministry, the two drugs can only be issued under strict prescription and patients are advised to recommended dosage for a specified period of time only.

The administration noted that Salbutamol is used in emergency treatment of asthma, prevention and bronchospasm in asthma, bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, reversible airway obstruction and asthma with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Salbutamol also proved to be an effective method for premature labour and prolonging pregnancy, because it requires no intensive medical nursing care and observation, and no discomfort of intravenous intake. Clenbuterol has the same effect as Salbutamol, the administration added.

After many pork samples were found containing lean-meat producing agents, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has called on the police to probe into the trade and use of the banned substance so as to rescue honest breeders from losses, after the sale of pork falls sharply in the local market.

These agents have been prohibited by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), because after entering the human body, they could affect and damage various organs like brain and liver.