Unreasonable prohibition

This letter refers to the news report ‘Physicians demand to withdraw prohibition on prescribing nutraceutical’ (February 17, 2024). Senior healthcare professionals are criticizing the federal health ministry for prohibiting physicians from prescribing multivitamins, food supplements, and minerals to patients, as per the report. This reminds me of when a physician tested me for vitamin D deficiency and found that my vitamin D levels were significantly lower than the minimum healthy levels. So, he prescribed an ampoule of this vitamin. Would people like me be unable to receive a prescription for vitamins and supplements from doctors under this prohibition? This is difficult to understand.

As one the doctors cited in the report mentioned, a blanket ban is not justified just because there are cases of vitamins and supplements being used in an unscientific manner. The solution is to ensure that these medicines are being used properly and being prescribed by certified healthcare professionals.

Mariam Khan

Lahore