Firm looks into Cebu drug row

A drug company has expressed concern over the reported illegal proliferation of the pain relieving drug selling in a coastal barangay in Cebu where about 80 percent of its residents are said to be addicted to it.

Boots Company said they are puzzled over the reported proliferation of Nubaine (Nalbuphine), one of the drugs in their stable of top-selling medicines, in Barrio Cammagay in Cebu, as they assured that they were not the source of the drug that was being abused by residents.

The drug company said they have conducted a thorough study of their distribution network and have ascertained that their exclusive distributor, Zuellig Pharma, have released Nubaine only to accredited and selected doctors and pharmacies and drugstores.

The multinational drug giant said they are eyeing the possibility that the Nubaine proliferating in the said barangay could have been smuggled into the country.

They noted that Barangay Cammagay is a coastal barangay located near a port.

The drug firm explained that the sale and distribution of Nubaine was being closely monitored by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), it being a regulated drug sold only to accredited medical specialists such as anesthesiologist and obstetricians who use it to relieve acute pain.

Nalbuphine, like other pain-relieving drugs, is regulated because it can be addictive. Abuse of the drug can lead to damage of vital organs such as the liver and the brain.

Nubaine, it was learned, is said to be one of the drug of choice used by obstetricians in normal birth delivery operations and also used by anesthesiologists to relieve post-operative pain.

Dr. Fidel Payawal, Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists president, said the drug was an important drug for pain management specialists such as anesthesiologists since it was a highly-potent pain reliever. — Rainier Allan Ronda