We’ve discussed the fear of drug addiction as being a hinderance to proper amounts of medication in Africa (especially sub-saharan Africa.) But there are other problems that have to be looked at. In a recent article in the New York Times, other reasons for a lack of drugs are discussed. These problems range from a lack of skilled doctors to broken down health care systems. But a problem that is most vexing is the strict laws that forbid certain types of drugs that are accessible in other parts of the world from being accessible in theses African countries. Some laws state that a doctor must have two licenses to prescribe morphine, while other laws say that one can only access a 2-3 day supply. What must be understood however is that many people will need some sort of analgesic or painkiller in their lifetime compared to the very small proportion of people who will actually abuse an opiod. These outdated fears not only affect how certain doctors practice, but how all doctors MUST practice. Education about drugs has to be better incorporated into African doctors and lawmakers’ lives.
