Ellen Campbell -Grizzle
VIOLENCE IS a real concern in Jamaica. Some people believe that they can resolve differences by stabbing, kicking, shooting and killing others. Evidence suggests that this violence against one another is increasing to such an extent that it is overburdening the health system. The problem exists in schools, homes and on the streets.
Women are usually the victims of spousal battery and it is not uncommon for them to seek remedies to calm their nerves, as well as painkillers. Pharmacists are of the view that these incidents are increasing and women of all economic and social classes are affected.
BADLY BRUISED
Recently, a female patient went to a pharmacy to fill a prescription. She looked as if she had received a pummelling. Her face was badly bruised and there was a cut that just missed her eyes. The patient was clearly in pain but was not agitated. Her prescription contained medication to cover pain and ease anxiety. In response to the pharmacist's query, she calmly stated that her husband had beaten her again. The lady stood as silent as a lamb as the price of the medication was calculated. Without a comment, she left the pharmacy. Shortly afterwards, the gentleman in question came to purchase his wife's medication. He wanted the best medicine and asked for a good tonic for her as well.
In this case, the physician wrote a prescription that covered most of the bases. The lady received medication for:-
Pain and swelling in tablet form
Anxiety control in tablet form
Dressing supplies, such as sterile gauze, adhesive tape
Antibiotic dressing
Fourteen days later she returned to the pharmacy. The physician had continued the tablets to control her anxiety but discontinued all other medication. The lady said that she was feeling much better and had returned to work. The pharmacist advised her to seek counselling from the crisis centre. The doctor had given her similar advice.
Medicines are wonderful devices. If used properly, they work well. The pharmacist was not surprised that the patient was pain-free in four days. In this case, the Ibuprofen 800mg had efficiently and effectively subdued the chemicals that cause pain and swelling. The Alprazolam had settled her nerves so that she could feel tranquil and cocooned. However, patients must be carefully weaned off Alprazolam to avoid the development of a drug habit.
Today, there is no medicine to cure the tendency to batter spouses. Physicians do their best to prescribe after each incident and pharmacists provide the medication. However, all parties agree that this is not enough. There are complex human relations issues at work. Ultimately, victims must act to change their circumstances.
The estimated cost of this incident to the husband was J$10,000. He paid up willingly. The cost to his wife is not so clear. She appears to be still suffering from aches that are deeply embedded and beyond the reach of medication. But then, pharmacists are not psychologists or psychiatrists.
Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, president, Caribbean Association of Pharmacists, director, Information and Research, National Council on Drug Abuse; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
