HAI publication, Problem Drugs, available in Russian

Many medicinal drugs are on sale in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States. According to HAI most are either unsafe, ineffective or a waste of money, and many are used unnecessarily or inappropriately. Yet consumers in the region have little access to objective information about pharmaceuticals or how to use them. Help is now at hand in the form of a Russian translation of Andrew Chetley’s book, Problem Drugs. In this analysis, the author covers a wide range of drugs including: antidiarrhoeals, antibiotics, analgesics, growth stimulants, cough and cold remedies, drugs in pregnancy, contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, psychotropic drugs and vitamin supplements.

The book contains special sections on drugs and children, women and the elderly. It highlights what the author sees as examples of unethical marketing, double standards and failure to meet real medical needs, and provides recommendations on how to improve the current situation.

Available from: HAI-Europe, Jacob van Lennepkade 334-T, 1053 NJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel: + 31 20 683 3684, fax: + 31 20 685 5002, e-mail: hai@hai.antenna.nl Price: NLG40, plus postage and handling. Reduced rates available for groups in CEE/NIS countries, for HAI members, and for orders for more than 50 copies.

British National Formulary at reduced price

The new edition of the low-cost British National Formulary, which many people find an invaluable source of up-to-date drug information and advice, is now available.

The 36th (September 1998) edition can be obtained from Teaching Aids at Low Cost, priced at £5.00 plus £2.75 for UK surface postage or £3.75 by airmail. This is about one-third of the standard price. Note that the publishers have made the condition that the special price is only available to people in developing countries.

For further details contact: Teaching Aids at Low Cost, P.O. Box 49, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 4AX, UK, or send an e-mail to: talcuk@btinternet.com