FOREIGN domination in third world countries is well known in drugs and chemical industries. Allopathy has become an accepted system of medicine in third world countries and has reached the smallest of villages. Most of the drugs used in the allopathy system are 'discovered’ in U.S.A. or Europe. Because of the selfishness of the multinational companies, they produce new medicines with incomplete scientific tests. There seems to be a hurry in making new medicine. This is why we often hear of some drugs producing adverse side effects and being withdrawn from the market. The multinationals and their associates seem to have no ethics when it comes to dumping their goods which are banned in certain countries (USA for example), in third world countries. Even the Government of U.S.A. seems to help dumping (a term used by Mother Jones’ for export of banned and hazardous products) by being a silent spectator. It has not banned dumping in a multitude of cases, when it had the legal right to do so. Often in the name of helping third world countries and with a patronising attitude it has helped dumping of banned goods. An issue of ‘Mother Jones’* (November 1979) brings out with some statistics the dumping carried out by U.S.A. multinationals in drugs, medicines, pesticides, and other chemicals. The following are some of the points from the articles in that issue:
Here are some of the examples of dumping listed in 'Mother Jones’ After the Dalkon shiel, an intrauterin device, killed many women in United States, the manufacturer withdraw it from the domestic market. It is sold overseas after the American recall and is still in common use in some countries.
No one knows how many children may develop cancer since several million
children's garments treated with a carcinogenic fire retardant called Tris
were shipped overseas after being forced off the U.S.A. markets by the
consumer product safety commission (CPSC) of U.S.A.
Lomotil, an effective anti-diarrhea medicine sold only by prescription in
U.S.A. because it is fatal in amounts just slightly over the recommended
doses, was sold over the Counter in Sudan, in packages proclaiming it was
‘used by astronauts during Gemini and Apollo space flights’ and
recommended for use by children as young as 12 months.
Depo-Provera, an injectible contraceptive banned for such use in U.S.A.
because it caused malignment tumors in beagles and monkeys, is sold by the
Upjohn Co. in 70 other countries, where it is widely used in U.S.A.
specified population Control Programmes.
400 Iraqis died in 1972 and 5000 were hospitalised after consuming the
by-product of 8000 tons of wheat and barley coated with an organic mercury
fungicide, whose use had been banned in U.S.A.
4,50,000 baby pacifier of the type that have caused choking deaths have
been exported by at least five manufacturers since a ban was proposed by
the CPSC. In the table are examples of how certain drugs sold in the
U.S.A. with information about their adverse effects are sold in other
countries publicizing fewer adverse effects and in some cases
none.
A team of 'Mother Jones' correspondents has interviewed the concerned
Government officials and found that all of them are aware of dumping. They
know the names of dumped goods, the companies, when it goes and other
exact statistics. In spite of that they are not concerned about the way it
affects the people on whom it is dumped.
When some persons concerned about dumping advised the U.S.A. Government
to ban exportation of goods banned on the grounds of health hazard etc.,
the following was the reply: 'The standards of public health and safety
are best determined by individual governments. No country shall establish
itself the arbiter of others' health and safety standards.
The FDA* of U.S.A. allows manufacturers to export banned drugs and even
unapproved new drugs if they are shipped under ‘an investigation
protocol’: ’You export it., but never offer it for sale in U.S.A. again’
is the FDA dictum.
Madras Group
|
Drug |
UNITED STATES |
MEXICO |
CENTRAL AMERICA |
|
Tetracycline (Antibiotic used against various infections),
Lederle Labs. |
Caution against use:
By infants, children, during pregnancy, with liver or kidney
impairment (latter can be fatal) if overly sensitive to light. Adverse reactions publicized Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach, rashes, kidney poisoning, can poison fetus. |
Caution against use:
By infants, children, during pregnancy or if overly sensitive to
light.
Adverse reactions publicized
Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach
|
None
Adverse reactions publicized
None |
|
Ovulen
(Birth control Pills: G.D. Searle Co.)
In U.S. used for contraception only. In some Latin, American
countries, Searle Recommends it also for regulating menstrual
cycles, premenstrual tention and
menopausal
problems
|
Caution Against use:
If patients has tendency to blood clot liver dysfunction,
abnormal vaginal bleeding, epilepsy, migraine, asthma, heart
trouble. Adverse reactions publicized Nausea, loss of hair, nervousness, jaundice, high blood pressure, weight change, headaches. |
Caution Against use:
If patients has tendency to blood clot liver dysfunction,
abnormal vaginal bleeding, epilepsy, migraine, asthma, heart
trouble. Adverse reactions publicized Nausea, weight change |
Caution Against use:
If patients has tendency to blood clot liver dysfunction
Adverse reactions publicized Nausea, weight change
|
|
Imipramine
(Anti-Depressant: CIBA GEIGY)
In U.S. used for depression only. In some Latin American
countries, CIBA- GEIGY recommends it also for senility. Chronic
pain and alcoholism. |
Caution against use:
If patient has heart disease, history of urinary retention,
history of seizures, manic disorder or is on typhoid medication.
Not recommended for children or during pregnancy. Adverse reactions publicized Hypertension, stroke, slumbing, delusions, insomaia, numbness, dry mouth blurred vision, constipation, itching, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sweating. |
Caution against use:
During first trimester of pregnancy
Adverse reactions publicized Dry mouth, constipation, itching, sweating. |
Caution against use:
If patient has heart disease.
Adverse reactions publicized
None. |
|
Drug |
BRAZIL |
ARGENTINA |
|
Tetracycline (Antibiotic used against various infections), Lederle Laboratories
|
Caution against use: By infants, children, during pregnancy Adverse reactions publicized
Vomiting, nausea, upset stomach, rashes
|
Caution against use: None
Adverse reactions publicized
None |
|
Ovulen (British Control Pills: G.D. Searle Co.)
In U.S. used for contraception only. In some Latin American
countries, Searle Recommends it also for regulating menstrual
cycles, premenstrual tention and menopausal
problems.
|
Caution against use: If patients has tendency to blood clot. Adverse reactions publicized
None |
Caution against use: If patients has tendency to blood clot. Adverse reactions publicized
None |
|
Imipramine (Anti-depressant: CIBA- GEIGY)
In U.S. used for depression only. In some Latin American
countries, CIBA-GEIGY recommends it also for senility chronic pain
and alcoholism |
Caution against use If patient has heart disease. Not recommended for children or during pregnancy. |
Caution against use May exaggerate response to alcohol
Adverse reactions publicized None |
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