The effects of economic sanctions on disease specific clinical outcomes of patients with thalassemia and hemophilia in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The sanctions applied by both the USA and the EU against Iran do not formally ban the exports of medicines; in practice, however, patients are experiencing great difficulty in securing the treatment. This article documents the impact of international sanctions on patients with thalassemia and hemophilia in southern Iran. METHODS: This survey examined the specific effects of external sanctions on the access of patients to their treatment between 2009 and 2012 from the point of view of patients with thalassemia (n=69) and congenital coagulation disorders (n=40) as well as related physicians (n=20). Also, clinical manifestation and laboratory data of patients were compared in the same period. RESULTS: Access to deferoxamine and Exjade as iron chelators in patients with thalasseamia, respectively, declined by almost 70% and half over this period. In addition, access to lyophilized coagulation factor VIII concentrate in hemophilia A dramatically dropped from 96.7% in 2009 to 3.3% in 2012. The clinical results showed a significant deterioration of arthropathy (P<0.001) in hemophiliac patients and a significant increase in serum ferritin levels in thalassemia patients (P=0.036). CONCLUSION: Sanctions had significant effect on public health on patients with thalassemia and hemophilia.

Insufficient stocking of poisoning antidotes in hospital pharmacies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antidotes for poisoning and overdose are available in hospitals that provide emergency department care. DESIGN: Written survey of hospital pharmacy directors, each of whom reported the amount currently in stock of 8 different antidotes: antivenin (Crotalidae) polyvalent, cyanide kit, deferoxamine mesylate, digoxin immune Fab, ethanol, naloxone hydrochloride, pralidoxime chloride, and pyridoxine hydrochloride. PARTICIPANTS: Pharmacy directors of all hospitals with emergency departments in Colorado, Montana, and Nevada. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportions of hospitals with insufficient stocking of each antidote, defined as complete lack of the antidote or an amount inadequate to initiate treatment of 1 seriously poisoned 70-kg patient. RESULTS: Questionnaires were mailed to 137 hospital pharmacy directors and 108 (79%) responded. Only 1 (0.9%) of the 108 hospitals stocked all 8 antidotes in adequate amounts. The rate of insufficient stocking for individual antidotes ranged from 2% (for naloxone) to 98% (for digoxin immune Fab). In a multiple regression analysis, smaller hospital size and lack of a formal review of antidote stocking were independent predictors of the number of antidotes stocked insufficiently. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient stocking of antidotes is a widespread problem in Colorado, Montana, and Nevada. Although these states are served by a certified regional poison center, potentially lifesaving antidotes are frequently not available when and where they might be needed to treat a single poisoned patient.