Karachi: Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, President of the Epilepsy Foundation Pakistan and a prominent neurologist, has raised concerns about the high cost of medicines used in the treatment of epilepsy.
According to a statement by Aafia Movement, Dr. Siddiqui addressed the issue during her keynote lecture at the 2nd 360° Neuro Summit held in Malaysia. She highlighted that the cost of neurological medicines ranks just behind cancer drugs in terms of sales within the pharmaceutical industry. The World Health Organization has classified epilepsy medications as lifesaving, prompting Dr. Siddiqui to advocate for price control and subsidies to make these essential drugs more accessible.
Dr. Siddiqui also discussed the impact of neuropathic pain and emphasized the importance of awareness, particularly in South Asia, where diabetes prevalence is notably high. Pakistan currently leads the world in diabetes prevalence. She detailed the use of vitamins for brain and nerve health, while cautioning against the potential toxicity of excessive vitamin intake. Her lecture included insights on vitamin B12’s role in neuropsychiatric conditions and the application of Levetiracetam for emergency epilepsy treatment, alongside the use of Pregabalin in managing neuropathic pain and epilepsy.
Experts at the summit, including Dr. Wan Aliaa Binti Wan Sullivan and Prof. Dr. Liyana Najwa Binti Inche Mat, commended Dr. Siddiqui’s insights. They noted that in Malaysia, certain medications receive government sponsorship, and they underscored the importance of research collaboration and prevention strategies.