WHO: This drug can reduce post-childbirth bleeding and save lives
| Jun 29, 2018, 17:17 IST
Apparently in many countries, one of the major causes of death is excessive bleeding following childbirth. Approximately 70,000 women die every year because of post-partum haemorrhage, which also increases the risk of babies dying within a month.
Now, a clinical trial by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 10 countries (including India), shows that a novel formulation using the drug carbetocin could be an effective way to prevent excessive bleeding. It could potentially save thousands of women’s lives.
It was explained in a study, “Despite substantial reductions in maternal mortality, hemorrhage continues to be the largest direct cause of maternal death, accounting for 6,61,000 deaths worldwide between 2003 and 2009. More than 70% of hemorrhagic deaths occur postpartum, and most are due to uterine atony, which results from poor contraction of the uterus after childbirth.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO said, “Heat-stable formulation of carbetocin can be as safe as oxytocin in preventing post-partum haemorrhage. This new formulation of carbetocin does not require refrigeration and retains its efficacy for at least 3 years when stored at a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and 75% relative humidity. “This is an encouraging new development that can revolutionise our ability to keep mothers and babies alive.”
Now, a clinical trial by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 10 countries (including India), shows that a novel formulation using the drug carbetocin could be an effective way to prevent excessive bleeding. It could potentially save thousands of women’s lives.
It was explained in a study, “Despite substantial reductions in maternal mortality, hemorrhage continues to be the largest direct cause of maternal death, accounting for 6,61,000 deaths worldwide between 2003 and 2009. More than 70% of hemorrhagic deaths occur postpartum, and most are due to uterine atony, which results from poor contraction of the uterus after childbirth.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO said, “Heat-stable formulation of carbetocin can be as safe as oxytocin in preventing post-partum haemorrhage. This new formulation of carbetocin does not require refrigeration and retains its efficacy for at least 3 years when stored at a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and 75% relative humidity. “This is an encouraging new development that can revolutionise our ability to keep mothers and babies alive.”