Pakistan criticised over eclampsia drug 'non-availability'

The government of Pakistan has drawn criticism for not regulating the availability of magnesium sulphate in certain provinces, despite it being a safe, cost-effective treatment for preeclampsia and eclampsia.

The latter condition is the country's third most common cause of maternal mortality, accounting for around 200,000 deaths every year.

Ghazala Mehmood, a senior gynaecologist and vice-president of the White Ribbon Alliance Pakistan, told the Express Tribune: "These lives could be easily saved just by using magnesium sulphate, but the major challenge is its non-availability in the majority of healthcare facilities across the country."

Magnesium sulphate has been on the World Health Organization's essential medicines list since 1996 and is mentioned in Pakistan's treatment guidelines for eclampsia, but policy regarding its use at a provincial level is reportedly unclear.

Professor Mehmood named Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as two regions where supplies of magneisum sulphate are not regulated, meaning there is no guarantee mothers with preeclampsia and eclampsia can access the drug.

Posted by Martine Ward