Often, painful episodes do not respond to mild analgesia and are therefore treated with pethidine. It is common, with around 100 million people around the world thought to be affected. It affects people from Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and South East Asia. There are many variants described. It manifests itself as drug-induced haemolysis, favism, chronic haemolytic anaemia and neonatal jaundice.
Treatment is avoidance of precipitating factors.
Due to the insipid nature of the disease, the non-specific symptoms and common occurrence, community pharmacists should be prepared in their diagnosis to consider anaemia when someone presents with vague tales of tiredness. Referral, therefore, is important in confirming diagnosis. Pharmacists should also be aware of the differences between the iron preparations they stock and their suitability for different patients. References available on request.