I recently read an article in the newspaper which really shocked me. A young, adolescent girl went to a leading chain of cosmetic surgery centre to treat her bout of acne. After consuming the prescribed medication for the stipulated period of time, she suddenly developed migraine-type of headaches and temporary blindness. In a state of near-terror, her parents immediately took her to a neuro-surgeon, fearing the worst possibility. The neuro-surgeon on examining the girl asked for a detailed history of medicines consumed in the near past. The girl showed him the prescription of the medication recommended for her acne and was told by the doctor that that was the cause of her headaches and blindness. Her parents, though relieved that there was nothing seriously wrong with their daughter, were naturally outraged at the cosmetic centre for their gross negligence. A few doctors who were contacted by the newspaper which carried this report mentioned that the antibiotic prescribed by the cosmetic clinic was extremely potent and only used in complicated and serious illnesses like pneumonia and TB meningitis!! Apparently, for a simple bout of acne, this medication was absolutely unnecessary.
So what?? one may ask. The girl wanted the treatment and was given one. The point I an trying to make is that there is no concept of “informed consent” in relation to the patient. Exposing the adolescent to such potent antibiotics might not only have severe side-effects, but might also make her immune to it, thus limiting medication available to treat complicated illnesses, if they were to happen to her in the future. I believe it is the right of every patient to know the risk he/she is undertaking while consuming any medication and then decide if they wish to take the chance or not. It is grossly unethical to term and advertise treatments as “100% safe and effective”, when they in turn might have life long repercussions.
Another thing that becomes apparent from this incident is that the fixation with good looks and appearance had engulfed youngsters today. I might add that I am also one of them. A small acne or a scar really bothers me, whereas my parents look upon it as natural part of young age. It is also because people come across as willing to do anything to look good, that they are taken advantage of. A word of caution to all those who read this post- Please confirm with your doctor the side effects and also the desired effect of any medicine prescribed. If you are visiting a specialist, cross-check with your family physician if the medicines prescribed are harmful in any way. And yes, sue the impostors and negligent doctors who believe its their right to treat their patients like guinea pigs and experiment on them with different and harmful medicines!!
