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EDITOR'S EMULSION
Warm Greetings!
Welcome to yet another edition of our newsletter.
The Rajya Sabha passed the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill even as thousands of doctors staged protests all over India. The Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on July 29. In essence, the bill provides for setting up a National Medical Commission (NMC) in place of the MCI to develop and regulate all aspects of medical education, profession and institutions in India.
Modi government considers this bill as one of the biggest reforms. The bill seeks to annul the Indian Medical Council Act 1956 in the wake of allegations of corruption against the 63- year-old Medical Council of India (MCI). It is also aimed at addressing the shortcomings in the process of regulating medical colleges in the country. Doctors’ bodies, meanwhile, have panned the bill as being "anti-poor" and "anti-student".
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Stay Healthy. Stay Protected.
Pyush Misra
Editor-in-Chief,
The Prescription
DOSE OF THE DAY
“We’re going to have the most severe penalties in the world against fake drug manufacturers. They are mass murderers of innocent people. Profiting from spurious drugs that might harm or kill innocent people is equivalent to mass murder."
Mrs Sushma Swaraj
Late Foreign Minister
Govt. Of India
PSM India Capsules
What Changes, What Doesn't: The NMC Bill Explained
How is the National Medical Commission (NMC) different from the Medical Council of the India (MCI) it will replace?
Nearly 70% of the 100-plus member MCI were elected members while the 25-member NMC will have a majority nominated, mostly by the central government. MCI members could be re-nominated or re-elected. The NMC chairperson and other members nominated by the Centre can’t be renominated. In the MCI, 15 of 100-plus members were enough to make a meeting and its decisions valid. In the NMC it will need 13 of 25 members.
Medical Devices Sector Takes A Turn For The Better
It was a query that was raised in India about six years ago, when Johnson & Johnson had forked out $2.5 billion in a settlement covering over 8,000 patients in the US. The case involved its faulty ASR hip implants that were globally recalled in 2010. The query came up again this week, as patient compensation and the larger canvas of regulating medical devices was brought up by Congress representative Anand Sharma in the Rajya Sabha.
Drug Laws & Policy Injections
Telangana Govt Contemplating To Come Out With A New Antibiotic PolicyHyderabad, 2 Aug 2019 : The Telangana state government is contemplating to come out with a new antibiotic policy in the state. The main objective of this new policy would be to regulate and contain the excessive and unnecessary use of antibiotics among people in the state.
ICMR Releases Policy On Research Integrity & Publication Ethics Mumbai, 5 Aug 2019: To ensure highest professional and ethical standards for bio-medical and health research at all stages, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released policy on research integrity and publication ethics.
Ayush Ministry To Train Regulators And Quality Control Personnel On Regulatory Capacity BuildingMumbai, 1 Aug 2019: Union Ayush Ministry would be providing regulatory capacity building training to government analysts, drug inspectors and quality control personnel at Pharmacopoeial Laboratory for Indian Medicine (PLIM), Ghaziabad as per a prescribed schedule for the year 2019-20.
Ayush Ministry Directs State Licensing Authorities To Consider And Accept Stability Data For ASU DrugsMumbai, 8 Aug 2019: Union Ayush Ministry has directed all state licensing authorities to consider and accept accelerated stability study data for fixing the shelf life of of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) drugs.
Commerce Ministry To Implement Online System For Tracing & Authentication Of Export Packages From April 1, 2020Mumbai, 7 Aug 2019: The Union Ministry of Commerce, through the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), will implement online system for tracing and authentication of pharmaceutical export packages from April 1, 2020.
Govt May Bring Dialysis Fluid, Hearing Aids And Intraocular LensNew Delhi, 7 Aug 2019: After stents and knee implants, the government is all set to regulate prices of intraocular lens, hearing aids and dialysis fluid used in the treatment of kidney-related ailments. A newly-constituted committee on the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) has identified these products for price control, two people aware of the matter said.
Pharma Injections
Govt Likely To Review Differential Pricing With MNC Stent Makers New Delhi, 1 Aug 2019: Multinational stent makers will meet government officials later this month in a renewed push for differential pricing, two people aware of the matter said, a demand that was rejected a year and a half ago.
India Needs To Increase Quality & Stability Of Generics To Be On Par With Global Standards: Haryana DCNew Delhi, 5 Aug 2019: Given that India is emerging as a big manufacturer and supplier of generic drugs for domestic as well as global markets, the big question is how we can increase and better the quality and stability of the drugs we manufacture and what strategy we need to adopt for a quality change, comments Narendra Kumar Ahooja, drugs controller of Haryana.
All That’s ‘Ayurvedic’ Is Not Of Quality: Substandard Drugs On The Rise In Kerala KOCHI, 7 AUG 2019: When it comes to seeking treatment for diseases, Malayalees and tourists visiting the state always go the traditional way since they find it safe. The tag of ‘no side effects’ has an attraction of its own when it comes to medicines. However, this belief is being utilised by the unscrupulous to mint money.
Haryana To Become Hub Of Pharma Industries In Two Years, Pharma Park To Come At Karnal New Delhi, 6 Aug 2019: The Haryana government’s project of a modern pharma park in Karnal will change the state into a hub of pharma industries by creating globally competitive pharma MSMEs.
TSPCB Issues Closure Notices To 9 Pharma Companies In Polepally Green Industrial Park Hyderabad, 6 Aug 2019: The Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TS PCB) has issued closure notices to as many as 9 pharmaceutical manufacturing companies located in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Green Industrial Park, at Polepally village of Jadcherla mandal on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
IIT-G Develops Low-Cost, Hand-Held Device To Detect Bacteria Rapidly Guwahati, 6 Aug 2019: Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a novel low-cost, hand-held diagnostic device to detect bacteria almost instantaneously without the need for cell culture and microbiological assays.
Drug Dopes
West Bengal: BSF Troops Recover 350 Bottles Of PhensedylNorth Dinajpur (West Bengal) , 31 July 2019: Troops of Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 12 bags containing 350 bottles of Phensedyl and 180 Yaba tablets, along India-Bangladesh border in Raiganj on Tuesday. 
Punjab FDA Restricts Sale Of Habit Forming Drugs Tramadol And TapentadolChandigarh, 1 Aug 2019: To curb the menace of drug menace in the state, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Directorate Punjab has issued orders imposing specific restriction on stocking, sale and distribution of Tramadol and Tapentadol in oral solid dosage forms by the wholesale as well as retail sale licencees, with immediate effect.
One Held With 2,625 Narcotic Tablets In Ambala AMBALA, 3 AUG 2019: Ambala police arrested an accused identified as Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Gandhi Colony, Ambala of Haryana, after recovering 2,625 narcotic tablets from his possession at a naka near New Pratap Nagar railway crossing in the early hours of Saturday.
New Drug-Combination Promises Prevention Of Restenosis New Delhi, 4 Aug 2019: A new patent-pending drug combination promises prevention and effective treatment of restenosis which is a narrowing of blood vessels in the case of patients who have undergone heart bypass surgeries.
Shortage Of Combination Drugs Puts HIV Patients In A Quandary Chennai, 6 Aug 2019: There is a shortage of first-line anti retroviral therapy (ART) regimen — Zidovudine-Lamivudine (ZL) combination drugs — across Tamil Nadu. Persons living with HIV/AIDS, who are on this drug regimen, are getting doses for a week instead of the recommended one month due to short supply.
PvPI Study Reveals Major Suspected ADRs In Anti-Retroviral Drugs Like Lamivudine, Efavirenz And TenofovirMumbai, 7 Aug 2019: The Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI)’s recent study has revealed that major suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have originated from anti-retroviral drugs like lamivudine, efavirenz and tenofovir.
National Injections
CDSCO Notifies 6 Bodies To Audit Medical Device Manufacturing Sites Mumbai, 2 Aug 2019: The medical devices division of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has notified 6 bodies to carry out auditing of manufacturing sites as per the provisions of new MD Rules.
Alternative Medicines May Cause Liver Injury: AIIMS ExpertsNew Delhi, 31 July 2019: Experts at AIIMS on Tuesday said that use of complementary and alternative medicines may cause varying degrees of liver injury. Doctors said that sometimes they get patients who have a history of taking unknown alternative medicines which are non-certified or non-branded and prescribed by unregistered local practitioners which result in liver injury.
Maha Govt To Set Up Single-Window Clearance System For Pharma Companies Mumbai, 4 Aug 2019: The Maharashtra government is planning to attract pharmaceutical companies to set up base in the state and has decided to set up a single-window system to grant them clearances and address their grievances.
To Ensure Authenticity, APIs Of Drugs May Soon Get Track-And-Trace Codes New Delhi, 5 Aug 2019: The Health Ministry may soon make it mandatory for companies to include codes to track-and-trace key ingredients used to make medicines in India, The Indian Express has learnt.
Neuberg Ties Up With C-CAMP For Technical Training Courses New Delhi, 1 Aug 2019: India’s fourth largest diagnostic service provider, Neuberg Diagnostics Private Limited on Thursday entered into a strategic alliance with the Centre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Govt. of India. C-CAMP is one of the biggest innovation hubs bringing academia, life sciences, biotech and startup ecosystem all on one platform.
Cipla In Talks To Back E-Pharmacy Medlife Bengaluru/Mumbai, 2 Aug 2019: Drug major Cipla is in talks to invest in online healthcare platform Medlife, three people aware of the discussions said, in what could perhaps be the first investment by a traditional pharmaceutical company in an e-pharmacy. These sources said the Mumbai-based Cipla is looking to invest Rs 150-170 crore in the e-pharmacy, which sells medicine online and offers lab tests and doctor consultations.
Global Injections
Drug-Resistant HIV Found In 12 Countries In WHO SurveyNew Delhi, 31 July 2019: A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed alarming rise in resistance to crucial HIV drugs. The report states that HIV resistance against the two vital drugs — efavirenz and nevirapine — has surpassed acceptable levels in 12 countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. While the report doesn’t mention India, both drugs are used in the country.
Scientists Remove Need For Anti-Rejection Drugs In Transplant RecipientsWashington D.C., 3 Aug 2019: Whenever a transplant is done recipients need to take long-term anti-rejection drugs that suppress the body's immune system. However, anti-rejection drugs are known to cause serious infections and even cancer in recipients. Now, researchers have found a way that would eliminate the need for anti-rejection drugs.
No Evidence Of Added Benefit For Most New Drugs Entering German Healthcare System
Cologne, Germany, 11 July 2019: More than half of new drugs entering the German healthcare system have not been shown to add benefit, argue researchers in The BMJ today.
Chinese Scientists Develop Tumor-Specific Anti-Cancer Therapy: Study
Washington, 13 July 2019: Chinese scientists developed a combined tumor-killing therapy that can be activated specifically at tumor sites in mouse models of cancer, which is more effective than previous similar therapies.
Researchers Targeting Peroxynitrite Production For Treatment Of Tumours
Washington D.C., 7 Aug 2019: Scientists have found new cancer therapies that don't have the side effects that oftentimes accompany many current cancer treatments by identifying a protein modification that specifically supports proliferation and survival of tumour cells.
Increase In Blood Clot And Death Risk Spark FDA Warnings For Tofacitinib
Maryland, 6 Aug 2019: New warnings suggest tofacitinib (Xeljanz), a drug to treat patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), increases the risk of blood clots and death.
PSM PILL
Both Fake Online Pharmacies That Received FDA Warning Letters In March Have Finally Ceased Operations
July 31, 2019 : The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters on March 27, 2019 to Azmedicinalshop.com and Thedonrx.net. Letters to both websites warned about selling unapproved and misbranded drugs to American consumers. Specifically cited in each letter was that both websites sold non-FDA-approved versions of tramadol, a Schedule IV pain reliever. Both websites had 15 days to respond to the FDA’s letter.
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Promises To Protect Drug Supply In The Face Of The U.S. Drug Importation Statement
August 1, 2019 : Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was interviewed today in Iqaluit, and according to CBC Canada, he reassured Canadians that Health Canada is already safeguarding the Canadian prescription drug supply regardless of international pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
5 Telltale Signs You Have a Potassium Deficiency, Experts weigh in on everything you need to know about the ever-important electrolyte
While it’s obvious that what you put in your body helps (or hurts!) your performance, there are certain things that everyone needs to make sure they’re getting enough of in their diet. One of them? Potassium. “Potassium is an important electrolyte in your body that your cells need in order to carry out normal electrical activity, like muscle contraction or an efficient heart beat,” says Jeffrey William, M.D., a nephrologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. And most people don’t get enough, according to Melissa Majumdar, M.S., R.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Based on the guidelines from the National Institutes of Health adults should get 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium a day, but Majumdar says that most men only get 3,000 mg and most women only get 2,300 mg. For context, 1 cup of dried apricot halves contains 1,511 mg of potassium, 1 cup of prunes contains 1,397 mg of potassium, and one medium banana contains 422 mg of potassium. Read More>>>
SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM
Case Related To Delay In Notifying Online Pharmacy Rules To Come Up At Patna HC
Aug 19, 2019 Mumbai: This is with reference to a writ petition filed by Mahendra Ray versus the Government of India for delay in implementing online pharmacy regulation despite framing the draft rules followed with a gazette notification on August 28, 2018 for a stakeholder review.
Blog Addicts
Mr Rakesh Luthra, MBBS The article on the Indian Govt's Plans for Aadhaar-Based Identification Of Patients To Maintain Health Records was extremely insightful and informative.
Mrs. Shumona Sen, IT ProfessionalIn Dose of the Day, it was good to learn that our health minister is seeing convergence with IT as a major tool towards aiding in efficient Pharma sector and positive healthcare delivery for India. Kudos on the newsletter PSM India.
Ms. Lata Vasan, Pharma Consultant
"The Prescription" helps give me my monthly dose of current pharma news which I eagerly look forward to in order to keep myself abreast as a more aware reader. Keep up the good work.
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