The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has banned Nimesulide for causing liver failure. The decision was based on results obtained in the EU. But a recent research has shown different effects of different medicines on Pakistani and EU patients.
For example the efficacy of the rotavirus vaccine is reduced in Pakistani children due to the presence of higher gut bacteria when compared with children in the EU. Therefore DRAP should also conduct research on the effects of Nimesulide on Pakistani patients before cancelling its registration because this drug is used by a large number of poor patients, and also generates high revenue for many companies.
Engr Shahryar Khan Baseer
Peshawar