Kolhapur: Doctors warn against fake prescriptions

KOLHAPUR: The health authorities have appealed to citizens to consult doctors before taking any medicines and warned against following any prescriptions appearing on social media and WhatsApp groups. Messages regarding steps to be taken to prevent leptospirosis are doing the rounds on the media.
The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Saturday said keeping a check on water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases, along with leptospirosis, remains their top priority as the flood waters recede.
Ramesh Jadhav, head of KMC’s infectious disease control programme, said people are being misguided through online prescriptions for preventing leptospirosis, which is a zoonotic disease. This disease is caused when people come in contact with water contaminated by animal urine. The leptospira bacteria is carried by various animals such as rats, cows and dogs.
“A doctor should be consulted if any symptoms are noticed. Usually those who take part in rescue operations or travel barefoot in flooded areas are advised to take preventive medications. Those who had any foot injury and walked through flood water should take medicines after consulting doctors,” he said.
Madan Patil, district president of chemist association, said the medicines for leptospirosis cannot be sold over the counter. “We have instructed all our member chemists not to dispense the drug without prescription. We have received directions from the administration to keep adequate stock of antibiotics,” he said.