The Department of Drug Administration in Vietnam said that the health sector still continues to use drugs like Salbutamol and Clenbuterol in the treatment of certain diseases, although the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had banned them several years ago.
Public concern has been raised as to why these drugs are still in use, particularly for child birth, by the health sector in the country.
As per regulations issued by the Ministry of Health, the two drugs can only be issued under strict prescription and patients are advised to recommended dosage for a specified period of time only.
The Department of Drug Administration noted that Salbutamol is used in emergency treatment of asthma, prevention and treatment of bronchospasm in asthma, bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, treatment of reversible airway obstruction and asthma with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
In breathing disorders, Salbutamol relaxes muscles in the air passages of the lungs. It helps to keep the airways open, making it easier to breathe.
In addition, Salbutamol proved to be an effective method for premature labour and prolonging pregnancy, because it requires no intensive medical nursing care and observation, and no discomfort of intravenous intake.
Clenbuterol has the same effect as Salbutamol, said the drug administration.
After many pork samples were found containing lean-meat producing agents, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has called for a police probe into the trade and use of the banned substance so as to save honest breeders from losses, after the sale of pork lost credibility in the market.
These agents have been banned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), because of the fact that once they enter the human body they affect and damage various organs such as the brain and liver.
