Browsing by Author "Laban, Premakanthie Rosemary."

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An evaluation of the impact of legislative changes on stakeholders in the South African pharmaceutical industry.
(2003) Laban, Premakanthie Rosemary.; Thomson, Elza.
Changes in the health sector in South Africa have been widespread since 1994 with restructuring ofthe public sector being the focal point of legislation. The limelight has recently shifted focus to the health sector with the Medicine and Related Substances (MRSCA) Amendment Act, 59 of 2002 in which generic substitution was finally promulgated, after disputes in the international arena about patent rights, due to the government's policy on parallel imports. Section12 ofPharmacy Act 90, which forms part of the Act is an attempt to further regulate the industry, that eventually became effective this year. This legislation addresses issues of sampling and perverse incentives and calls for the establishment of a Marketing Code for the pharmaceutical industry. The South African government has, as part of the amendment, called for input from all stakeholders including: trade associations, the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. All role players were invited to be part of the decisionmaking process as to what should constitute the Marketing Code and its' regulatory body. The Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP), an affiliate of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), has not yet prepared a response to SAMA for submission to government with regard to the Marketing Code, in the field of central nervous system (CNS) products. The impact of the banning of samples on psychiatric private practice is not known and there is insufficient data available about the marketing activities of drug companies and the link to the prescription habits of medical professionals. Further, to date, there has been no canvassing of opinions with regard to the impact of the legislation on the consumer. In this case study analysis, an evaluation of the impact of legislative changes in the South African pharmaceutical industry is made. Recommendations as to what should constitute a Marketing Code for the pharmaceutical industry are highlighted. restructuring ofthe public sector being the focal point of legislation. The limelight has recently shifted focus to the health sector with the Medicine and Related Substances (MRSCA) Amendment Act, 59 of 2002 in which generic substitution was finally promulgated, after disputes in the international arena about patent rights, due to the government's policy on parallel imports. Section12 ofPharmacy Act 90, which forms part of the Act is an attempt to further regulate the industry, that eventually became effective this year. This legislation addresses issues of sampling and perverse incentives and calls for the establishment of a Marketing Code for the pharmaceutical industry. The South African government has, as part of the amendment, called for input from all stakeholders including: trade associations, the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. All role players were invited to be part of the decisionmaking process as to what should constitute the Marketing Code and its' regulatory body. The Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP), an affiliate of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), has not yet prepared a response to SAMA for submission to government with regard to the Marketing Code, in the field of central nervous system (CNS) products. The impact of the banning of samples on psychiatric private practice is not known and there is insufficient data available about the marketing activities of drug companies and the link to the prescription habits of medical professionals. Further, to date, there has been no canvassing of opinions with regard to the impact of the legislation on the consumer. In this case study analysis, an evaluation of the impact of legislative changes in the South African pharmaceutical industry is made. Recommendations as to what should constitute a Marketing Code for the pharmaceutical industry are highlighted.
Psychiatric morbidity in postpartum Zulu women at King Edward VIII Hospital.
(1992) Laban, Premakanthie Rosemary.; Nair, Margaret Gemma.
Psychiatric morbidity in the postpartum period has been a subject of research for years that has been plagued by much controversy. Most of the studies have come from Western countries. Studies that were done in Africa have concentrated on psychotic disorders in in-patients. A pilot study done by Cheetham et al (1981) at King Edward VIII Hospital found a high incidence of 'transient situational disturbances', which required further investigation. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To document the spectrum of psychiatric morbidity in an out-patient population of postpartum Zulu women; 2. To define predictive factors which would identify women 'at risk'; 3. To assess the feasibility of 'Western' screening instruments; 4. To investigate whether 'postpartum blues' occurs in Zulu women. RESEARCH DESIGN A prospective, descriptive study was undertaken. Sample Selection: 177 postpartum Zulu women attending the ' Well-Baby' Clinic at King Edward VIII Hospital were randomly selected for inclusion in the study. Methodology: Three questionnaires: The General Health Questionnaire- 30, Pitt's Questionnaire of Anxiety and Depression and The Kennerley Blues Questionnaire were administered to the subjects. A Structured Clinical Interview DSM-III (SCID) was conducted in those women with symptoms. FINDINGS: 1. The majority of the sample were between the ages of 20 and 30 years, unmarried, with a Senior Primary education and a baby of 20 weeks. 2. 45.76% of the sample had a psychiatric diagnosis, with 18.07% having major depression. Other disorders included: adjustment disorders, schizophrenia and dysthymia. 3. Significant variables using Chi-square analysis were: inadequate antenatal care, a negative response from the partner and the absence of cultural rituals. No association was found with demographic and obstetric variables. 4. T-test analysis showed a correlation between the questionnaires and the SCID. 5. 37.3% had experienced 'postpartum blues'. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The spectrum of psychiatric morbidity is affective in nature and similar to other studies. 2. 'Postpartum blues' does occur in Zulu women. 3. Antenatal screening with 'Western' instruments could reduce psychiatric morbidity. 4. The nomenclature of puerperal disorders is inadequate and needs review. 5. More prospective, community-based research is needed, especially in rural Zulu women.