October 2024

Oct 23, 2024 The Kerala State Medical Councils (KSMC) is reportedly planning to create a directory of modern medicine practitioners mentioning their names, registration numbers, qualifications and additional qualifications. This is among the steps being taken to nab “fake” doctors, and qualified doctors who are practising without registering themselves with the Council of Modern Medicine of the KSMC. In accordance with the National Medical Commission Act, 2020, and its regulations, and the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act, 2021, registration with the council is mandatory for practising modern medicine in Kerala. However, it has been noticed that many of the modern medicine doctors have not registered their MBBS degrees or additional qualifications such as MD/MS/DNB, DM/Mch/DrNB with the council. They are also exhibiting other additional qualifications, such as membership of medical academies and societies, which are not recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC). According to KSMC officials, practising by exhibiting such unregistered and unrecognised qualifications is a punishable offence. Some hospital managements are also found to have been posting advertisements, including the qualifications of medical practitioners and their images, on print and social media. The council has warned of action against such acts with appropriate punishments. The KSMC has now sought a list containing the names, registration numbers, qualifications and additional qualifications of modern medicine practitioners working in various hospitals in the State. Heads of these institutions are supposed to e-mail them to ksmcdoctorlist@gmail.com by October 31. It is learnt that the plan is to have an online system where people can check the qualifications and other details of modern medicine doctors. All modern medicine practitioners have also been asked to register their MBBS qualification and other additional qualifications with the Council of Modern Medicine. They should display their registration number, registered qualifications and registration certificate (legally attested copy) at their place of practice. Only the registration numbers, qualifications and additional qualifications registered with the KSMC shall be used in their place of practice, prescriptions, seals and letter pads. The doctors are authorised to practice registered specialities alone. All medical colleges, hospitals and clinics in Kerala should verify the original registration certificate of the modern medical practitioners serving there, issued by the KSMC, to establish their eligibility. Attested copies of certificates should be kept at the institution. Display boards in all medical colleges, hospitals and clinics shall include the names, qualifications, additional qualifications and registration numbers of the doctors. Meanwhile, the State government is yet to notify rules for the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act, 2021. KSMC sources said that the Department of Law was working on them. Source: The Hindu

Oct 23, 2024 New Delhi: As Delhi grapples with rising air pollution Chairman of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta and Former Director AIIMS Delhi Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday warned that air pollution can lead to more mortality than COVID-19. As the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the capital city continues to deteriorate, several parts of the national capital have witnessed smog in the last few days. A thick layer of smog enveloped the city this morning as the Air Quality Index (AQI) registered at 354 remaining in the “very poor” category. Dr Guleria noted that 8 million people in the world have died because of air pollution in 2021, which is more than the people who have died due to COVID-19. “The report by the Health Effects Institute said in 2021 that almost 8 million people in the world died because of air pollution. This is more than the number of people who have died due to COVID-19. We are concerned about COVID, but we are not concerned about air pollution.” Guleria told ANI. “We were velY concerned about COVID, but we are not that concerned that we should be air pollution,” he added. Dr Guleria further said that recent data from India suggests that just a 10 microgram per meter cube increase in Pariculate Matter 2.5, a type of air pollutant made up of extremely small particles that are 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, is associated with higher deaths. “This occurs because of respiratory and cardiac problems. Air pollution causes more inflammation in the lungs. The respiratory problem worsens. They land up in the ICU or a ventilator at times, and this leads to higher mortality,” he said. According to Dr Guleria, air pollution can cause inflammation or swelling of the vessels of the heart in patients who have heart diseases and this also leads to higher chances of heart attacks. He added that air pollution is not only restricted to the heart and lungs but can go into other organs of the body as well. “In people who have heart disease…it causes inflammation or swelling of the vessels of the heart and this also leads to higher chances of heart attack. It’s not with the heart and the lungs, but pollution can affect almost any part of the body because these fine particles of air pollutants, less than 2.5 microns and other chemicals, when they enter the body from the lungs, can go into various organs, so they can lead to diseases that have a long-term effect, like dementia, neurological problems, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome; all of these have been linked to air pollution,” Dr Guleria said. “As per the dynamic model and forecasts for weather/meteorological conditions and air quality provided by IMD/IITM, there is a likelihood of the daily average AQI of Delhi remaining in the ‘very poor’ category (AQI 301-400) in the coming days due to unfavourable meteorological and climatic conditions,” according to a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change release. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked stage two of the anti-pollution plan GRAP in the national capital. The Sub-Committee of the CAQM decided that all actions under Stage II of the GRAP for ‘very poor’ air quality be implemented by concerned agencies in the NCR. This is to prevent further deterioration of air quality. With Stage II of GRAP now in force, an II-point action plan is being implemented across the NCR. The plan includes mechanical/vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads, intensified inspections at construction and demolition sites, and proper disposal of collected dust at designated sites. The CAQM has urged peope to use public transport, minimise the use of personal vehicles, and regularly replace air filters in their vehicles. People are also advised to avoid dust-generating activities and open burning of solid waste and biomass. The AQI of Delhi on Tuesday hovered around 300 throughout the day, as per CAQM data. Meanwhile, toxic foam has been seen floating in the Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj as pollution levels in the river continue to remain high. (ANI) Source: Economic Times

Oct 17, 2024 Bengaluru: Sparsh Hospitals launched an advanced on- site 3D printing lab at its InfantiY Road facility. The lab introduces cutting-edge 3D printing technology that will revolutionise orthopaedic and personalised medical care by offering comprehensive solutions under one roof—from scanning to the creation of final customised models. The 3D printing lab and robotics represent a significant leap forward in healthcare by providing patient-specific surgical solutions that enable surgeons to plan and perform surgeries with unprecedented accuracy. The lab will improve surgical precision, reduce recovery times, and minimise long-term healthcare costs. The facility’s new 3D printing lab integrates advanced technologies such as custom prosthetics designing and streamlining processes to make healthcare more efficient and affordable for patients. The lab is designed to significantly reduce costs and time for both patients and medical professionals by offering all services—from scanning to post-processing—under one roof. Dr Sharan Shivaraj Patil, Chairman and Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sparsh Hospitals, said, ” “After the adoption of robotic systems, today we are taking a big leap forward with our advanced 3D printing lab and this move underpins our focus on technology, expertise, and experience. Tech-enabled 3D printing lab will be a game-changer for personalised patient care in India. It will allow us to design custom-made prosthetics, implants, and deliver surgical models that precisely match each patient’s unique anatomy.” Dr Patil added, “These two technologies, 3D printing and robotics, are advancing the capabilities of orthopaedic surgeries and beyond. They enable greater precision in planning and executing complex procedures, resulting in better outcomes for patients, faster recovery, and a significant step forward in personalised healthcare.” From a surgeon’s perspective, Dr Patil said, “The ability to create detailed anatomical models before surge1Y is a major advantage for surgeons. Not only does it enhance pre-surgical planning, but it also allows us to rehearse procedures, reducing surgical time and minimising risks. For young surgeons, this lab will be an incredible tool for hands-on training, offering unparalleled learning opportunities.” Going forward, the 3D printing lab at the hospital is not limited to current technologies but is actively exploring future innovations such as the creation of artificial organs, expanding its role in medical research and bioengineering. These advancements will not only transform the way surgeries are performed but will also contribute to future breakthroughs in personalised medical treatments. Source: Economic Times

Oct 4, 2024 New Delhi: Several doctors’ associations condemned the murder of a 55-year-old medic on Thursday, saying “doctors are sitting on deathbeds” and called for immediate action to ensure their safety. According to police, Javed Akhtar, a Unani (BUMS) practitioner was shot dead in his hospital cabin at NIMA Hospital in southeast Delhi’s Kalindi Kunj area around 1.45 am. The accused, both juveniles, had come for treatment. As the matter came to light, doctors’ unions across the national capital expressed their grief and shock, stating that no healthcare professional will treat patients if their own safety is at risk. Dhruv Chauhan, a national council member of the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) Junior Doctors Network, described the shooting as indicative of a broader societal issue. “Doctors are now sitting on deathbeds,” he said. “Anyone who comes to us for help could potentially be a threat, as seen in Dr Akhtar’s case,” Chauhan told PTI, adding that this is no longer just a doctor-versus-assailants issue; it reflects a complete breakdown of law and order in our country. Expressing concern about the rising violence against healthcare professionals, Suvrankar Datta, president of the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) said the Delhi incident follows a string of violent attacks on doctors. “Respecting the Supreme Count, we returned to work, but still the brutality and violence against doctors have continued, with 7-8 incidents occurring since the horrific case in Kolkata. Here we are again facing another day of violence,” Datta said. Datta told PTI that the FAIMA would hold an emergency executive body meeting at 9 pm to discuss further actions in response to the violence against medical practitioners. Condemning Akhtar’s murder, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) asked why are doctors becoming easy targets in hospitals and who would answer for this “blatant disregard for law and order”. “A doctor at NIMA hospital in Delhi was shot dead at point-blank range last night. According to @DelhiPolice, it appears to be a targeted killing – unprovoked and possibly planned. Dr Akhtar was a BUMS practitioner. May his soul rest in peace,” the union wrote on X. “This incident raises alarming questions: Why are doctors becoming easy targets in hospitals? Who will answer for this blatant disregard for law and order in our capital?” it added. According to the police, two juveniles, aged around 16, are suspected to have carried out the shooting after visiting the hospital for treatment. They allegedly shot Dr Akhtar after being treated for a bandaged toe. Initial investigations suggest that the murder was a targeted killing, likely involving prior planning. The police have formed six teams and collected CCTV footage from the hospital to identify the suspects. Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) SK Jain confirmed that the case appears to involve personal enmity, stating, “The actual cause will only be ascertained once the suspects are apprehended.” Source: Economic Times

Yes, as many a times patient is unaware of the situation, because it doesn’t cause any symptoms, that’s why patients generally presents late, when hypertension had already created fatal complications in them. That’s why hypertension is called “SILENT KILLER”. In order to avoid this, regular visit to a physician for proper BP monitoring is necessary.

Oct 13, 2024 The sales and distribution of Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) brands, including i-Pill and Unwanted – 72, will remain unchanged, sources with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) said on Friday. This comes after various media reports suggested a proposed change in rules by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) regarding over-the-counter sale of ECPs. One of the reports had suggested that an “expert panel proposes a prescription requirement for the morning-after pill.” The CDSCO sources said that certain media reports regarding the prescription requirement for Hormonal contraceptives misinterpreted the proposal for change in Rules reg Schedule H and K drugs. Top 6 contraception myths debunked: What ALSO READ: every woman needs to know Facts regarding prescription requirement for Hormonal contraceptives: Presently, contraceptive drugs like Centchroman and Ethinylestradiol are classified under Schedule ‘H’ of the Drugs Rules, which means they can only be sold with a doctor’s prescription. Also, for manufacturers, they are required to these products with the cautionary statement: “To be sold by retail on the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner only.” Further, certain strengths of these drugs, including DL- Norgestrel (0.30 mg Ethinyloestradiol – 0.30 mg), Levonorgestrel (0.15 mg Ethinyloestradiol – 0.03 mg),Centchroman (30 mg), Desogestrel (0.15 mg Ethinyloestradiol – 0.03 mg) and Levonorgestrel (0.10 mg Ethinyloestradiol – 0.02 mg) are also also included in Schedule ‘K’ of the Drugs Rules, meaning these specific strengths can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. This has led to confusion among consumers, sellers, and other stakeholders due to contradictory statements regarding the need for a prescription as per point 1 and the lack of a prescription requirement in point 2. The proposed amendment to the rules is intended to clarify these regulations for the benefit of consumers and will not change the status quo. The strengths defined in Schedule ‘K’ will continue to be available without a prescription, as they are today, while all other remaining strengths will need a prescription, as they do currently. In view of above facts, the proposed amendment in the Drug Rules, whereby a clarifying statement ‘Class of drugs mentioned at entry no. 15 of Schedule K shall not be covered by this Schedule” will be added in Schedule H of the Rule. This will remove the ambiguity and simplify the process for sale of such drugs (of selected strengths). Therefore, media reports on this subject do not accurately interpret the situation. “There is no proposal to shift the drugs from the non- prescription to the prescription category, and there will be no change in the sales and distribution of Emergency Contraceptives,” they added. Source: Hindustan Times

Sep 14, 2024 New Delhi: In a significant step towards bolstering India’s clinical research capabilities, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoAs) with key industry players to conduct First-in-Human Phase-I Clinical Trials for four promising therapeutic candidates under its Phase 1 Clinical Trial Network. As part of these strategic collaborations, ICMR will work with Aurigene Oncology Limited on a small molecule for multiple myeloma, partner with Indian Immunologicals Limited for Zika vaccine development, coordinate a seasonal influenza vaccine trial with Mynvax Private Limited, and explore CAR-T cell therapy advancements for chronic lymphocytic leukemia with ImmunoACT. Union Health Minister J P Nadda lauded the partnerships, calling them a pivotal step toward “affordable and accessible cutting-edge treatments” that solidify India’s standing as a global healthcare innovation leader. “Establishing Phase 1 clinical trial infrastructure is a key component in fostering the development of indigenous molecules and cutting-edge treatments. Our vision is to expand this network fulther, ensuring that India continues to lead in the development of innovative and affordable healthcare solutions,” said Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research & Director General, ICMR, added. The clinical trials will take place at four premier institutions: KEMH & GSMC in Mumbai, ACTREC in Navi Mumbai, SRM MCH&RC in Kattankulathur, and PGIMER in Chandigarh. A Central Coordinating Unit at ICMR Headqualters, New Delhi, will oversee the operations, ensuring the trials’ smooth execution through dedicated infrastructure and manpower at each site. Source: Economic Times

Sep 20, 2024 New York: When researchers discovered enough proof that a medication used to treat bone marrow cancer and Kaposi sarcoma is safe and effective in treating hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a rare bleeding disorder that affects 1 in 5,000 people worldwide, they decided to terminate an early clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The New England Journal of Medicine published the trial results, which show that patients with HHT who were administered the medication, pomalidomide, had a significant decrease in the intensity of nosebleeds, required fewer blood transfusions and iron infusions than HHT frequently requires, and had a better quality of life. “Finding a therapeutic agent that works in a rare disorder is highly uncommon, so this is a real success stcny,” said Andrei Kindzelski, M.D., Ph.D., of NIH’s National Healt, Lung, and Blood Institute. “Before our trial, there was no reliable therapeutic to treat people with HHT. This discove1Y will give people who suffer with this disease a positive outlook and better quality of life.” HHT, also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome, is characterized by serious defects in the way the body’s blood vessels form. Instead of growing linearly, they become unusually tangled and twisted. The disordered blood vessels are fragile and prone to leaking, which causes excessive nosebleeds or bleeding along the gastrointestinal tract and other mucosal surfaces. These bleeding episodes, which worsen with age, can result in anemia and reduced quality of life. In severe cases, they can be life-threatening. Current options to treat HHT involve closing off the malformed blood vessels in the nose and gastrointestinal tract or prescribing off-label medications that temporarily stabilize blood clotting at sites of bleeding vessels, which in turn reduces bleeding. There are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for long-term management of HHT. Researchers speculated that pomalidomide worked by blocking the growth of abnormal blood vessels. It may cause the blood vessels to have a more normal structure or thicker walls so they are less fragile. However, the research team, led by Keith McCrae, M.D., professor of molecular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, says further study will be needed. Researchers enrolled 144 adults with HHT at 11 U.S. medical centers between Nov. 5, 2019, and June 27, 2023. All palticipants had moderate to severe nosebleeds requiring iron infusions or blood transfusions. Researchers gave 95 of the participants 4 mg of pomalidomide daily, though the dosage was reduced to 3 mg or 2 mg daily in patients with adverse reactions – mostly constipation, rashes, and lower than average white blood cell counts. The remaining 49 patients received a daily sugar pill designed to look exactly like the pomalidomide pill, in addition to their usual care. At the start of the trial, researchers used a validated HHT-specific bleeding assessment tool to score each patient’s nosebleed severity. To establish a baseline in other areas, palticipants self-repolted other data throughout the trial, palticularly the severity of their nosebleeds and the effect of their HHT symptoms on everyday activities using a special scoring system. The number of units of red blood cells transfused or iron infused was also recorded. In June 2023, 43 months into the scheduled four-year trial, an interim analysis found pomalidomide had met a prespecified threshold for efficacy, and the trial was closed to further enrollment. “These findings have broader implications for people with more severe forms of HHT,” said Kindzelski. “In those cases, malformed blood vessels can develop in organs such as the lung, liver, and brain, which can lead to hemorrhagic stroke, bleeding in the lungs, or heart failure. A treatment like this could be lifesaving for such patients.” Though researchers did not follow participants after the trial ended, McCrae noted that some of his patients from the study have gone four to six months without a recurrence of nosebleeds, even though they had stopped the medication. This suggests that the chug may have promise as a long-term or intermittent treatment. (ANI) Source: Economic Times

Oct 10, 2024 The pharmacare bill that was central to a political pact between the Liberals and NDP is now set to become law after the Senate passed the bill without making any changes. The legislation will inform the creation of any future national, universal pharmacare plan. It will also allow the government to sign deals with provinces and territories to cover diabetes and birth-control medications as part of the public health system. The wording and content of the bill was carefully negotiated as part of the now-defunct supply-and-confidence deal between the NDP and Liberals. British Columbia has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Ottawa to launch the program in that province. Health Minister Mark Holland hopes to have all provinces and territories on board by next spring, but the bill will need royal assent before he can officially sign those deals. Source: Global News

Oct 9, 2024 Exports of India’s pharmaceutical and meditech sectors are expected to sustain the growth momentum in the ongoing fiscal despite a slowdown in the global economy, a senior government official said on Wednesday. With the government revving up support for drug development in India, as many as 16 blockbuster molecules targeted for a wide range of therapeutic areas, including cancer, diabetes, HIV and tuberculosis, are in the pipeline to be produced in India, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Secretary Arunish Chawla told reporters on the sidelines of CII Pharma and Life Sciences summit here. “We have been analysing the export trends in the recent data. Even though there is a general slowdown in exports globally, the good news is that the Indian pharmaceuticals, biotech, and bulk drug exports have grown double- digit over the last year,” he said in response to a query on export prospects of the pharma industry amid a global slowdown. He further said, “In the first four months of this year, these exports have now become the fourth largest merchandise export item for the Indian economy. That’s a huge achievement, and it’s an important milestone that has been crossed.” Going forward, Chawla said,”We expect robust performance from both pharma and the meditech industry. In the last year, in the consumables and surgical space we became an export-oriented industry. In other segments as well, like imaging devices, body implants, in-vitro diagnostics, we are a rising power, and these exports are also showing a good growth this year.” Bullish on India’s pharma and meditech exports, he said,”We are confident that when the data comes finally for the current financial year, you will see impressive results for yourself.” On support of drug development in India, he said, “We’ve done both studies and applied research to identify blockbuster molecules and blockbuster drugs in the traditional pharma space and in the new rising biotech and biosimilar space.” He further said, “Patent cliff studies recently identified 26 blockbuster molecules, of these 16 are in the pipeline. They’re going to be produced in India. They are in various stages of approvals and manufacturing licences.” While he did not elaborate on the name of the companies which are developing these drugs, Chalwa said,”These are mostly Indian companies, and they are taking help from the PLI scheme, the incentives to develop, research, take clinical trials and get the necessary approvals for these blockbuster molecules.” These molecules are both small and large molecules aimed at most therapeutic segments including, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV and anticoagulants, among others, he added. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has already granted approvals to some of the molecules, Chawla said, adding, “going further, we would also be working on their value chains upstream the way we have focused on bulk drugs as upstream value chains of chemical entities.” He further said the government is also now focusing on the upstreams of biological entities, which particularly includes basic molecules like amino acids, nucleotides and vaccine raw materials. “You will see a lot of work taking place in this direction going forward. We are also working on facilitating the cell and gene therapies and healthcare ecosystems that will come up going forward,” Chawla said. Source: Economic Times