Plenary Story

The House of Representatives, on Thursday mandated its Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, to ensure manufacturers and marketers give adequate information to patients on the correct use of Tramadol.

Other stakeholders also mandated to ensure correct usage of the drug  are Heads of the Pharmacists Council on Nigeria and NAFDAC.

The committee and relevant stakeholders are to ensure that manufacturers and marketers give adequate consultations and information to patients on the correct and safe use of Tramadol.

The stakeholders are  also to  guarantee that controlled and delicate drugs such as Tramadol should only be sold to customers with valid prescription from a medical practitioner.

These followed a motion under matters of urgent national importance by Rep. Rita Orji (PDP-Lagos), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker explained that, the prescribed drug should only be provided in the framework of a qualified medical personnel.

According to her, prescription is expected to involve at least one medical examination during which the patient is in the presence of a medical practitioner.

She further said that stakeholders should identify, track and prevent inappropriate patterns of prescription and integrate prescription drug monitoring team or task force.

"They should also work with media outlets, health services committee, advocacies and retailers to reduce drug abuse and implement programmes to that effect.

Orji expressed concern that the rampant use and abuse of the drug, Tramadol among the youths had reached a frightening proportion.

She explained that within a space of one week, no fewer than four deaths due to uncontrolled use of Tramadol had been reported in and around Lagos state.

She said that if adequate measures were not put in place, it's effects will turn out deadlier than those of other narcotics like Cocaine and Heroin.

"The drug, Tramadol, which is primarily used to relieve severe pain has now been turned into narcotic due to it's ability to effect the brain and change how the body feels and responds to pain."

Orji further expressed worry that the easy access to the drug and inability of the dispensers to educate the buyers on the possible side effects could  endanger the lives of those under the administration of the drug.

She further stated that the drug had deadly side effects which include agitation, hallucination, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea.

Other side effect, she said includes: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting, seizure thus making it a drug in the class of Cocaine and other hard drugs.

She added that the delima could be worsened by the unregulated accessibility of the drug over the counter in various drug stores and retail shops.