Indian Journal of Pharmacology Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Pharmacological Society ISSN: 0253-7613 EISSN: 1998-3751 Vol. 43, Num. 1, 2011, pp. 95-95

Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 43, No. 1, January-February, 2011, pp. 95

Letter to Editor

Authors' reply

Harminder Singh, Navin Dulhani, Bithika Nel Kumar, Prabhakar Singh, Pawan Tiwari

Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, India

Correspondence Address: Harminder Singh, Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Jagdalpur (C.G) - 494 001, Chhattisgarh, India, dr_harminderchahal@rediffmail.com

Code Number: ph11032

Sir,

This is with reference to the comments on our article. ^[1],[2] Respected reader has raised his/her concern on the criteria that merited its publication. In support of our published article, we humbly put forward the following:

1. The established drug efficacy studies/concepts need repetition in different gene pool/geographical area to verify the optimal results in diverse situations. ^[3],[4] The repeated validation in dissimilar condition makes the established fact more relevant.
2. Apart from the efficacy of hydroxyurea, we also had our concern about safety aspects throughout the study period. ^[2]
3. Even the negative results are welcome in scientific community and some of the journals are fanatical for this job. We have conducted a scientifically sound, ethically approved, prospective study in sickle cell disease endemic tribal area which itself holds some logical merit to make a place in indexed journal. ^[5]
4. Our main objective was to recommend a wider adoption of hydroxyurea for treatment in areas of high prevalence of sickle cell disease, which is still lacking. The Indian Journal of Pharmacology has shown a full accountability and scientific conclusion to decide on this study in their much valued journal.

References

1.	Beedimani R. The novelty of research article: Whose responsibility is it? Indian J Pharmacol 2011;43:94-5.  Back to cited text no. 1
2.	Singh H, Dulhani N, Kumar BN, Singh P, Tiwari P. Effective control of sickle cell disease with hydroxyurea therapy. Indian J Pharmacol 2010;42:32-5.  Back to cited text no. 2  [PUBMED]
3.	Steinberg MH, Barton F, Castro O, Pegelow CH, Ballas SK, Kutlar A, et al. Effect of hydroxyurea on mortality and morbidity in adult sickle cell anemia: Risks and benefits up to 9 years of treatment. JAMA 2003;289:1645-1.   Back to cited text no. 3
4.	Jayabose S, Tugal O, Sandoval C, Patel P, Puder D, Lin T, et al. Clinical and hematologic effects of hydroxyurea in children with sickle cell anemia. J Pediatr 1996;129:559-65.   Back to cited text no. 4  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
5.	A biannual newsletter of regional medical research centre for tribals, Jabalpur, April 2005. Available from: http://www.icmr.nic.in/000519/Newsletter_vol2No1.pdf. [last accessed on 2009].  Back to cited text no. 5

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