Kamal Iyer
3 April, 2021, 7:00 pm
Metformin, sold under the brand name Glucophage among others, is
the fi rst-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, particularly
in people who are overweight. It is also used in the treatment of
polycystic ovary syndrome. Picture: https://www.formularywatch.com
AT 11.45pm on Friday, March 26, 2021, 30 per cent of Fiji’s population or one in every three people statistically, would have suffered a hammer-blow after listening to or watching the Minister for Health and Medical Services sound a dire warning in Parliament about the most commonly used drug, Metformin, to treat diabetes.
What Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said in response to National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad’s End of Week Statement highlighting pitfalls about the shortage of medicine and procurement processes, including shortage of the basic diabetic drug Metformin, sent shockwaves.