Patient Safety Capsules
Tiger Global Eyes PharmEasy Stake Amid E-Pharmacy Consolidation
Bengaluru, 7 April 2021: Tiger Global Management, one of the most fervent backers of Indian startups, is in early-stage talks for an investment in online pharmacy platform PharmEasy, two people aware of the discussions said. Tiger Global, which recently closed its thirteenth global fund of $6.65 billion, its biggest till date, has been ag-gressively investing in local startups this year and now it is eyeing the e-pharmacy space, these people added.
UP Gives Major Boost To Medical Equipment Manufacturing
Lucknow, 1 April 2021: The Yogi Adityanath government is boosting the manufacturing of medical equipments in Uttar Pradesh in a big way. The government is also increasing the output of hydroxychloroquine, oxygen cylinders, sanitisers and testing kits to scale up Covid-19 testing in order to ensure that 'adequate' and 'affordable' health services are provided even to the poorest of the poor.
Drug Laws & Policy Injections
Govt Allows Workplace Vaccination From April 11New Delhi, 8 April 2021: The Union health ministry has allowed workplaces — in both public and private sector — to organise vac-cination sessions for their employees from April 11, in an effort to ramp up the exercise amid rising infections.
AstraZeneca Sends Legal Notice To SII Over Delays In Vax Supply Mumbai, 8 April 2021: The UK-headquartered drug firm AstraZeneca has served a legal notice to its manufacturing partner, Pune-based Serum Institute of India, over delays in the supply of its Covid-19 vaccine.
DCGI Directs SLAs, Labs & Associations To Implement E-Governance From April 15Mumbai, 5 April 2021: To bring uniformity, traceability and accountability in evaluation and disposal of licenses, the Drugs Con-troller General of India (DCGI) has directed state licensing authorities (SLAs), drug testing labs and pharmaceutical associations to implement e-governance through online national drug licensing system which can be accessed through https://statedrugs.gov.in from April 15, 2021 onwards.
Now, Optimal Use Of Regulatory Manpower With New Risk Based Inspection SystemNew Delhi, 30 March 2021: The FSSAI has said that to optimally utilise the limited regulatory manpower with states and focus on high risk food businesses, it has developed a comprehensive Risk Based Inspection System (RBIS).
DGFT Extends Deadline For Track & Trace System In Pharma Exports Till April 1, 2022Hyderabad, 30 March 2021: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the deadline for implementation of the track and trace system in pharma exports till April 1, 2022. A public notice has been issued by the DGFT in this regard.
PvPI Signs MoU With NABH For Effective Implementation Of Pharmacovigilance System In IndiaMumbai, 26 March 2021: The Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) for effective imple-mentation of pharmacovigilance system in the country.
Pharma Injections
Shortage Of Containers Hits Exports Of Pharmaceuticals From IndiaChennai, 7 April 2021: Exports of pharmaceutical products from India, especially from south Indian ports, have badly hit due to severe shortage of containers which are to come to Indian ports mostly from China which has cut down their exports to India and other countries following rise of Covid-19 cases.
Medical Oxygen Usage Jumped 516% In 43 DaysNAGPUR, 6 APRIL 2021: A staggering 516% jump in medical oxygen use in 43 days between February 21 and April 4 this year underlines the severity of the Covid infection spread in the district.
Meerut Police Bust Gang That Sold Expired Medicines In New Packaging Meerut, 3 April 2021: The Uttar Pradesh police have bused a criminal gang that was selling expired medicines in new packag-ing in Meerut. The police raided and arrested three members of the gang. The mastermind of the gang is a B. Pharm degree holder. A large stock of expired medicines was found from the spot.
Karnataka Health Official Suspended For Administering Covid-19 Vaccine To Mi-nister At Residence Bengaluru, 2 April 2021 (ANI): Taluk health official R Makandar was suspended on Friday for administering the COVID-19 vaccine to state agricultural minister BC Patil at the latter's residence.
Pharma SMEs Appeal To DCGI To Implement DCC Guidelines On NSQ Drugs Mumbai, 3 April 2021: In a bid to protect drug makers from enhanced penalties under the Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Act, 2008, the small and medium scale (SME) pharmaceutical manufacturers have appealed to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to ask state drug controllers to take action on samples of drugs de-clared spurious or not of standard quality (NSQ) as per Drugs Consultative Committee's guidelines.
NPPA Caps Retail Prices Of 35 Formulations Mumbai, 1 April 2021: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed retail price of 35 formulations and ceiling price of one formulation under Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO) 2013 based on the decision of 84th Authority Meeting.
Drug Dopes
Gurugram-Based Startup Develops Air Purifier That 'Kills' 99% CoronavirusGurugram, 6 April 2021: O2Cure, a Gurugram-based startup, has developed a product to neutralise SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The Plug & Play product is designed with RGF's patent PHI technology by the company which is a leading air purification solutions provider in the country. 
Spurious Cough Syrup: J&K HC Upholds Compensation For Victims’ FamiliesJAMMU, 6 APRIL 2021: Jammu & Kashmir High Court on Monday upheld the validity of an order passed by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) granting monetary compensation of Rs 3 lakh each to the next of kin of each kid who died after consuming spurious cough syrup.
10-Fold Rise In Daily Remdesivir Use In Aurangabad Since March 1 Aurangabad, 6 April 2021: Daily use of remdesivir injection, used for treatment of Covid-19 patients, has increased in Aurangabad district from 287 shots per day on March 1 to nearly 2,774 daily injections now, reveals the data available with the food and drugs administration (FDA).
No Provision To Compensate The Vaccinated In Case Of Adverse Events: Govt New Delhi, 6 April 2021: India has no provision of compensation for recipients of Covid-19 vaccine in case of any side-effects or medical complications (adverse events) due to inoculation though treatment is free in public health facili-ties.
Set Up Separate FSL For Testing Narcotic Drugs: HC To Karnataka BENGALURU, 3 APRIL 2021: The Karnataka High Court said the State Public Prosecutor (SPP) should try and persuade the State government to establish a separate Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for testing narcotic drugs and contraband articles, till the Central government establishes a separate FSL for the analysis of narcotic drugs within 15 days, the time prescribed by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) guidelines.
UK: Benefits Outweigh Risks For AstraZeneca Despite 7 DeathsLondon, 3 April 2021: Britain's medicines regulator is urging people to continue taking the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, despite revealing that seven people in the U.K. have died from rare blood clots after getting the jab.
National Injections
Health Panel Dissatisfied On FSSAI Response To Testing At Labs Across Country New Delhi, 31 March 2021: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health in its action taken report on the functioning of FSSAI has expressed dissatisfaction on the latter's response regarding its recommendation that all the food testing labs across the country should follow a uniform procedure or methodology of testing so that accurate results are obtained.
EU Drug Watchdog Reaffirms No Particular Clot Risk Factor Linked To AstraZeneca VaccineAmsterdam, 1 April 2021: Europe's medicines regulator reiterated its backing of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, saying no particular group of age, sex or a previous medical history was especially susceptible to blood clotting after receiving the shot.
DCGI Asks Cos Of 4th Gen HIV Kits To Mention Analytical Sensitivity For HIV P-24 Antigen On Kit Insert Mumbai, 30 March 2021: In a bid to avoid unnecessary delay of evaluation, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has di-rected all the manufacturers and importers of 4th generation HIV in-vitro diagnostics kits to mention ana-lytical sensitivity for HIV P-24 antigen on kit insert.
Zydus Cadila, Alembic Pharma Arms Recall Drugs In U New Delhi, 30 March 2021: US-based arms of domestic pharma firms Zydus Cadila and Alembic Pharmaceuticals are recalling one drug each in the US after receiving complaints against the products..
DoP Adds 19 Medical Devices To Public Procurement Policy New Delhi, 27 March 2021: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has incorporated 19 medical devices in the revised guidelines of the public procurement policy. The revised order is giving preference to the Make in India products.
Google Blocked 99m Misleading COVID-19 Ads In 2020 California, 22 March 2021: Google blocked more than 99m CVID-19-related ads last year, revealing the high level of misinformation and fraudulent activity from those seeking to exploit the pandemic.
Global Injections
EMA Finds Possible Link To Very Rare Cases Of Unusual Blood Clots With Low Blood PlateletsAmsterdam, 7 April 2021: EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) has concluded today that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects of Vaxzevria (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca).
New COVID Vaccine Shows 'Strong Immune Response' In Early UK TrialsLondon, 6 Apr 2021 (PTI): A new vaccine to protect against COVID-19, being produced in Scotland, has shown a "strong immune response" in early trials in the UK, the country''s health minister said on Tuesday.
Data: Severe Reactions To The COVID-19 Vaccines Are Very Rare
Maryland, 30 March 2021: Severe adverse reactions to the three available COVID-19 vaccines are very rare, according to widely available dated reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Infection.
Study Identifies Possible COVID-19 Drugs - Including Several That Are FDA Approved
ew York, 2 April 2021: A team led by scientists in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has identi-fied nine potential new COVID-19 treatments, including three that are already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating other diseases.
COVID-19 Patients Can Be Categorised Into Three Groups, Say Scientists
Washington, 4 April 2021: Scientists have identified three different types of COVID-19 disease traits in patients, depending on their comorbidities, complications, and clinical outcomes, an advance that may help target future interventions to the most risk-prone individuals.
Canada Bans Masks Containing Graphene
Ottawa, 3 April 2021: Canada has prohibited the use of face masks containing graphene due to the possibility to risks from inhalation of particles.
PSAIIF PILL
SII Asks Govt For $403 Million To Boost AstraZeneca Vaccine Output
New Delhi, 8 April 2021: The Serum Institute of India, the world's biggest vaccine manufacturer, has asked the government for a grant of 30 billion rupees ($402.97 million) to increase its capacity to make AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine.
Govt Asks Drug Makers To Ramp Up Remdesivir Production To Full Capacity
New Delhi, 8 April 2021: The government on Wednesday said that all seven manufacturers of Remdesivir in the country have been asked to ramp up production to full capacity by next week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Committee With No Domain Expertise Approved Indigenously Manufactured Covaxin: Health Experts ?
New Delhi, 6 April 2021: The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) that approved indigenously manufactured Covid-19 vaccine, Co-vaxin lacked experts of domain knowledge, health experts said. According to the Health Ministry, eight out of nine members that participated in the virtual meeting-agreed and approved the recommendations except Dr. B. Gupta from NDMC Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital who expressed some concerns about the vaccine candidate. Read More>>>
SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM
One In Ten Suffer Long-Term Effects 8 Months Following Mild Covid-19: Study
New Delhi, 8 April 2021: Eight months after mild COVID-19, one in ten people experience at least one moderate to severe symptom that is perceived to have a negative impact on their work, social or personal life, according to a study.
Blog Addicts
Ms Harpreet Sandhya, Professional The Prescription has articles that make very good reading. Excellent presentation. Well done..
Dr Birendra Awasthi, MDThe Newsletter has extremely useful information for readers. Great reading, please continue.
Mr Kaushik Ghosh, Pharma Expert
Good newsletter which brings an array of Pharma News for the avid Prescription newsletter. Keep up the good work.
This Newsletter is brought to you by
Patient Safety And Access Initiative of India Foundation
F-9, 2nd floor, Kailash Colony, New Delhi -110048
jagograhakjago.com; www.jagograhakjago.com;
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.
