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EDITOR'S EMULSION
Warm Greetings!
Welcome to yet another exciting month and a most pleasant Reading of our newsletter.
Please do not hesitate to mail your comments on this edition to help us further improve so please feel free to get in touch with us. You may find our previous issues on our website jagograhakjago.com or in the NEWS ARCHIVE section of every issue of The Prescription, in case you’ve missed any of them. You may also look us up on Facebook.
Stay Healthy. Stay Protected.
Pyush Misra
Editor-in-Chief
DOSE OF THE DAY
"It is of importance of countering and fact-checking unsubstantiated claims of AYUSH having cure for the disease. AYUSH scientists, ICMR, CSIR and other research organisations must come together for evidence-based research. The government will seek help from private doctors practising the AYUSH system to counter the spread of the deadly virus. AYUSH practitioners should utilise the platform of telemedicine to reach out to the public and generate constant awareness to fight the pandemic. Misinformation and misuse of medicines like hydroxychloroquine should not be encouraged."
Mr Narendra Modi
Hon'ble Prime Minister
Government of India
Sponsor
Patient Safety Capsules
Govt should educate patients on side effects of hydroxychloroquine: Prof Bejon Kumar Misra
The Government should immediately communicate to citizens through JAGO GRAHAK JAGO Multi Media Campaign to build awareness amongst citizens not to self-prescribe medication, only buy with proper registered ‘Doctor’s Prescription.
No Evidence Of Community Transmission Yet, Repeats Govt
NEW DELHI, 11 APRIL 2020: The government on Friday once again reiterated that it has found no evidence yet of any community transmission in India and that the rate of infection remains low with just 2% of 16,002 samples tested on Thursday testing positive.
Drug Laws & Policy Injections
CSIR To Conduct Genome Sequencing Of 500 Covid-19 Samples To Get ‘Better Sense Of Virus’New Delhi, 10 April 2020: The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has started genome sequencing of 500 virus samples from Covid-19 positive patients in India to study routes of the virus, trace its mutations and help sharpen research and development on potential treatments.
Prolonged Covid-19 Will Disrupt Pharmaceutical Supplies For India, China: UN New Delhi, 9 April 2020: If the covid-19 pandemic is prolonged, pharmaceutical supplies are anticipated to be disrupted, as India contributes to 20% of world's drug supply by volume and China a source of 70% of the raw material for these drugs, said a new report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) released on Wednesday.
Two Notified Labs To Test And Certify Huge Quantum Of PPE Procured In The CountryMumbai, 10 April 2020: Even as the Indian healthcare system is grappling with the rising demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the country, the Union health ministry has a big challenge in terms of testing and accrediting a huge quantum of PPE manufactured and imported in the country by only two notified labs – South India Textile Research Association (SITRA), Coimbatore as well as the Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior.
India May Test Plasma Of Recovered Patients As Potential Treatment For Covid-19NEW DELHI, 10 APRIL 2020: After long deliberations, India could consider starting clinical trials to explore convalescent plasma therapy as a potential treatment for the Covid-19 patients.
Approved PPE Kits To Have Unique Code And StickersNew Delhi, 8 April 2020: Manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE) will now need to mark their products with a unique code and tamper-proof stickers, the textile ministry has said. This comes after reports emerged that unapproved products were being sold in the market.
Telangana Plans To Set Up Covid Blood Plasma BankHyderabad, 9 April 2020: The State health authorities are exploring the possibility of setting up a Covid-19 blood bank that would collect blood plasma from patients who were cured of the highly contagious novel strain of coronavirus.
Pharma Injections
Bio Protective Wear Specifications In The Works StillNEW DELHI, 7 APRIL 2020: India’s national standards body has started working on specifications for “bio protective coveralls” to be used by healthcare workers to combat the Covid-19 virus outbreak. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) held an “urgent meeting” on April 3 to address the issue, according to a document that ET has seen. The move comes as health care professionals are facing a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Textile Ministry Announces New PPE RulesNew Delhi, 7 April 2020: The Union Ministry of Textiles has announced a new regulatory framework for the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) units after reports emerged that Indian manufacturers, who failed laboratory tests, have sold their rejected products to a section of private hospitals.
Indian Immunologicals Partners With Griffith University For Covid Vaccine Hyderabad, 7 April 2020: Vaccine maker Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), is going to commence research for developing a vaccine for Corona Virus (COVID-19).
Lockdown: Pharma, Medical Devices Units Working Only At 20-30% Of Capacity Hyderabad, 10 April 2020: The manufacturing units of pharmaceuticals and medical devices are working only up to 20-30 per cent of their capacity due to the national lockdown on account of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India has said.
Commerce Ministry Creates Online Platform For Issuance Of 'Certificate Of Origin' For Exporters New Delhi, 7 April 2020: The commerce ministry has designed an online platform for issuance of a key document required for exports to those countries with which India has trade agreements, with a view to facilitate shipments during the COVID-19 crisis. An exporter has to submit a 'certificate of origin' at the landing port of the importing country. The document is important to claim duty concessions under free-trade agreements (FTAs). This certificate is essential to prove where their goods come from.
Govt To Allow Industrial Manufacturers To Produce Oxygen For Medical Use New Delhi, 7 Apr 2020 (PTI) : The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has decided to grant licence to manufacturers of industrial oxygen to produce oxygen for medical use in public interest in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Drug Dopes
N-95 Masks, Hand Sanitisers Worth Rs 27.63 Lakh Seized From Godown In Mumbai's Goregaon; Two ArrestedMumbai, 7 April 2020: Crime branch officials on Tuesday seized the stock of N-95 masks, which are in high demand, and hand sanitisers collectively worth Rs 27.63 lakh from a godown in suburban Goregaon in Mumbai and arrested two persons, police said. 
Telangana DCA Nod To Six New Units To Make HydroxychloroquineHYDERABAD, 7 APRIL 2020: The Telangana Drugs Control Association (DCA) has issued licences to six new pharma units to manufacture Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on war footing. According to the DCA, 17 units are already making the formulation besides the six that were issued licences on Monday. Only one company is producing the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of the product in Telangana.
Rajasthan Govt Releases 25% Hydroxychloroquine Stock Jaipur, 8 April 2020: Taking into account the shortage of hydroxychloroquine, a drug showing effective results in treatment of Covid-19, the state government on Tuesday issued order to make the medicine available in the market for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The order says that 25% of the stock recovered from the dealers will be returned to them. But, the health department also mentioned that it should be given to patients on prescription adding that those found involved in black-marketing will be dealt strictly..
55 Firms Producing Up To 70,000 Litres Of Sanitiser Per Day In UP Lucknow, 6 April 2020: Facing an increased demand for sanitisers in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued licences to 55 companies to produce up to 70,000 litres of the liquid per day. "Total number of sanitiser licenses issued in the state is 55. This includes 22 sugar mills, as many sanitiser companies, nine distilleries and two other companies," an official statement issued here on Monday said.
USP Pinpoints Lacunae In Drug Recall Of Poisoned Cough Syrup Case Of Jammu Leading To Death Of 12 Children Mumbai, 7 April 2020: There is no transparency in the recall process of poisoned cough syrup Coldbest-PC in which 12 children died in Udhampur district of Jammu earlier this year, according to KV Surendranath, senior vice president, Global Sites of US Pharmacopoeia (USP).
Smuggling Of Phensedyl, Narcoticscontinues Amid Lockdown On Bengal-Bangladesh BorderKolkata, 6 April 2020: Notwithstanding the lockdown and sealing of the international border along West Bengal and Bangladesh in response to the coroanvirus pandemic, miscreants across the India Bangladesh border are still actively smuggling Phensedyl and narcotics.
National Injections
Natco Launches Cut-Price Copies Of AstraZeneca's Patented Anti-Diabetes Drug umbai, 7 April 2020: Amid serious global attention on Covid-19 pandemic, India's Natco Pharma has quietly launched the generic versions of AstraZeneca's patented anti-diabetes brand Farxiga. Natco named its brand Dapnat, which will be available in 5mg and 10mg strengths. These products will be priced significantly lower than the two strengths of Farxiga (dapagliflozin) sold in India.
Suspected Coronavirus-Hit Drug Plant Shut In KarnatakaKarnataka, 7 April 2020: The drug-making plant of pharma major Jubilant Life Sciences at Nanjangud near Mysuru has been shut down after it was suspected to have been contaminated by coronavirus from a container that came from China with raw materials, an official said on Tuesday.
Govt Issues Licences To Import Antibody Kits, May Buy More MUMBAI, 7 APRIL 2020: The race to supply antibody test kits to the Indian government has picked up, as the country puts out the first order to procure 5 lakh of these in an attempt to expand its testing capacity.
India Allows Export Of Anti-Malaria Drug Hydroxychloroquine Mumbai, 7 April 2020: After US President Donald Trump urged India to release supplies of the drug seen as a possible treatment for COVID-19, India has decided to allow exports of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).
NPPA Fixes Retail Prices Of 29 And Ceiling Price Of 3 Formulations Mumbai, 7 April 2020: NPPA has fixed retail prices of 29 formulations and ceiling price of 3 formulations under Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO)- 2013 based on its 74nd authority meeting dated March 31, 2020.
India Lifts Curbs On Exports Of 12 APIs Mumbai, 7 April 2020: Amid growing pressure from countries like the US and easing supplies from China, India on Monday lifted the curbs on exports of 12 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and their formulations. Sources claim the ban on exports of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) claimed to be effective to treat coronavirus may also be lifted.
Global Injections
US Pharmacies Authorized To Test For CoronavirusWashington, 10 April 2020: The US authorized pharmacies on Wednesday to carry out tests for the coronavirus, including newly developed antibody tests that detect whether a person who has recovered from illness had COVID-19. Health secretary Alex Azar, announced that all tests approved by regulators could be carried out by pharmacies as the country seeks to ramp up its testing efforts.
China Claims 'HIV Drug Can Be Used To Treat Corona Patients'Beijing, 9 April 2020: Corona has engulfed more than 180 countries in the world. Doctors at the primary hospital that treats severe corono virus patients in Wuhan city have said that the HIV drug Colatra is effective in treating COVID-19 patients. He has rejected a study which was said to be ineffective in the treatment of corona.
COVID-19 Drug Lead Treatments Identified
St Lucia, Australia, 9 April 2020: An international team of researchers has tested more than 10,000 compounds to identify six drug candidates that may help treat COVID-19. The research, involving University of Queensland scientist Professor Luke Guddat, tested the efficacy of approved drugs, drug candidates in clinical trials and other compounds.
UK Clamps Down On Bogus Covid-19 Drugs
London, 4 April 2020: British authorities said on Saturday they were clamping down on bogus cures for the coronavirus, which currently has no specific licensed treatment.
India, China Trade Declines By 12.4 Per Cent In First Two Months Of This Year Amid Coronovirus Outbreak
New Delhi, 3 April 2020: The trade between China and India fell 12.4 per cent year-on-year to USD 12 billion in the first two months amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to the latest data from Chinese customs.
COVID-19 Cure Might Already Exist In Old Drugs
California, 31 March 2020: Why don't we have drugs to treat COVID-19 and how long will it take to develop them? SARS-CoV-2 the coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19 is completely new and attacks cells in a novel way. Every virus is different and so are the drugs used to treat them. That's why there wasn't a drug ready to tackle the new coronavirus that only emerged a few months ago.
PSAIIF PILL
There Is No Dearth Of Medical Supplies Across The Country
New Delhi, 3 April 2020: Union Minister for Chemical and Fertilizers Shri D.V Sadanada Gowda has said that there is no dearth of medical supplies across the country to fight COVID-19 outbreak.
Medical Devices To Be Regulated As Drugs For Quality Control, Price Monitoring: Govt
New Delhi, 1 April 2020: All medical devices shall be regulated by the government as drugs for quality control and price monitoring from April 1, 2020, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said in a statement on Tuesday. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) in its a notification on Tuesday stated that all medical devices shall be governed under the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, with effect from Wednesday, it added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Loss Of Smell, Taste Early Symptom Of Covid-19 ? : Report
HOUSTON, 29 MARCH 2020: A loss of smell and taste may be the early symptom of Covid-19 infection, according to a latest report by a leading American professional association of medical specialists. Currently, there have been reports of taste and smell disorders related to Covid-19 from multiple countries around the world as well as within the US, said James C Denneny III, MD, executive vice president and CEO of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Read More>>>
SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM
Buying From Home Leads To Surge In E-Pharmacy Sales
New Delhi, 9 April 2020: Online medical stores such as Netmeds, 1mg and PharmEasy, which have been struggling to take off in a big way for over three years mainly due to regulatory issues, have seen an unprecedented surge in sales across cities amid the Covid-19 crisis.
Blog Addicts
Prof. Hemant Dave Excellent articles being published every edition. Very enjoyable.
Ms Himani Mehta, MDIndeed a pleasure to receive the newsletter and read it. Well done.
Ms (Dr.) Gita Seulgawker, MBBS
Presented very beautifully and aptly captures important developments in the Pharma space.
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Disclaimer : Our newsletter endeavors to compile patient safety information from various sources .
PSAIIF may not be held responsible for any article published in The Prescription.
