The Prescription: Partnership For Safe Medicines India

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News Archive

EDITOR'S EMULSION

Pooja Khaitan

Buying prescription and over-the-counter drugs on the Internet from a company you don't know means you may not know exactly what you're getting.There are many websites that operate legally and offer convenience, privacy, and safeguards for purchasing medicines. But there are also many “rogue websites” that offer to sell potentially dangerous drugs that have not been checked for safety or effectiveness.

“The Prescription” in its current edition covers up these sensitive issues of concern regarding health and medicine like unauthorized online purchase of medicine, availability of generic medicine, rise of Swine Flu disease, medical negligence, and much more under its National Injection section.

When taking medicines, one must always stick to prescribed medicines even though they might be available as over-the-counter drugs. A medical journal study reveals that some popular over-the-counter medicines have resulted in increased dementia risk. Read more on this in our Pharma Injections.

Drug laws and policies in this issue, informs readers of the newly implemented PSM system of CDSCO, issue of new prescription format by MCI, first software application IDMLA in Gujarat FDCA, draft act on Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Development Act etc. Go through the global injections to catch on news of fake drugs and action against them across the Globe. You shall find a list of freshly approved, banned drugs and drug discovery under the Drug Dopes section. Read this issue to know more on Ayurveda and its efficacy under FAQs. Make sure to mark your calendar for the important upcoming events featured in this issue.

If you have any suggestions, comments or queries, please email me at pooja@jagograhakjago.com.
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 under Partnership for Safe Medicines India

"Call PSM India toll free helpline 1800 - 11- 4424, to bring cases of spurious medicines or any kind of adverse drug reaction to the notice of the authorities.
Please visit our website jagograhakjago.com if you wish to learn about us .
To register a complaint kindly visit our consumer redressal website jagograhakjago.com”
Happy Reading !
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy !

Pooja Khaitan
Chief Editor , The PRESCRIPTION Partnership for Safe Medicines India.

DOSE OF THE DAY

“Drugs constitute a mere 15 per cent of medical costs but it is the diagnostic costs and consultation fees for every visit to the same doctor which constitute a major part of the medical cost. There is no control on the mushrooming of path labs and diagnostics centers. Therefore, government should immediately consider a prescription audit for the benefit of the patient population”.

Dr. BR Jagashetty,
National Advisor- (Drugs Control),
Project in-charge for the implementation of two schemes of Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO)

PSM India Capsules

FIGHT THE FAKES in Taipei

Fight the Fakes campaign was executed at the 8th annual Asian Regulatory Conference in Taipei. In partnership with IFPMA, a workshop on fake medicines, examining global supply chains, regional cooperation and emerging technologies was organized in Taiwan which was attended by our PSM India Founder –Director, Mr. Bejon Misra.
To know more on it click on : http://on.fb.me/1jOfGjy

FAQ’s on EBOLA VIRUS

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has uploaded few frequently asked questions regarding Ebola virus disease to provide necessary information to the people regarding transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment etc. MOHFW has also uploaded a guideline for health care providers.

WORLD CANCER DAY

To raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment, World Cancer Day is celebrated on February 4 every year. The theme for this year was “Not Beyond Us” that highlights the fact that there are many practical things that can be done as individuals and as communities to reduce the burden of cancer. It is a proven fact that most cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes like healthy diet, exercise, good sleep, avoiding tobacco products, limiting alcohol consumption etc followed by early detection with proper adequate treatment.
“The Prescription” brings up an article published on the eve of “World Cancer Day” to make readers mindful of the small steps that can be taken up to protect one-self from falling prey of the deadly disease.

National Injections

216 swine flu deaths registered in February: Health Ministry New Delhi: As many as 216 people have lost their lives to swine flu across the country in the first ten days of February as the death toll due to the contagious disease mounted to 407 this year, mostly in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan.

DoP plans to make 504 generics available at affordable prices under Jan Aushadhi brand Mumbai, Feb 2015: In an initiative to make generic drugs available at affordable price to the common people, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is planning to make 504 generic drugs, including 105 available at present, available under the Jan Aushadhi Scheme through retail drug stores across the country.

Unauthorized buyers log into India to get drugs without prescriptionsChennai, Feb 2015: A prescription for disaster is being written on the internet, in India, as unauthorized buyers log on to get drugs including stimulants and anti-depressants that should be sold only with a physician's recommendation.

Understanding Obesity: 30 million Indians obeseNew Delhi, Feb, 2015: According to Obesity Foundation of India, 30 million Indians are obese, and the number is predicted to double over the next few years. According to WHO statistics, India ranks second to China in Asia with regard to the number of people with obesity.

Seven doctors suspended for medical negligenceKolkata, Feb 2015: As many as seven doctors from three hospitals in West Bengal were suspended for a period ranging from six months to five years for medical negligence in three separate cases, said NGO People for Better Treatment here on Saturday.

Drug Laws & Policy Injections

CDSCO introduces PSM system to discuss regulatory pathway for approval of clinical trial, new drug, medical devices, etc. Mumbai, Feb 2015: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has introduced a system of formal Pre-submission Meetings (PSM) of applicants with CDSCO officers and subject experts to discuss regulatory pathway in respect of specific application for approval of clinical trial, new drug, medical devices, etc.

Gujarat FDCA develops & implements country's first software application IDMLA for granting product license Feb 2015: The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Authority (FDCA) became the first State Drug regulatory body to yet again develop and successfully implement the country’s first software for issuing manufacturing license through IT application called the drug manufacturing license application for allopathic (IDMLA). At present this service is available for issuing online APIs, single ingredients and formulations product license.

MCI issues new prescription format for doctors to ensure accurate & uniform prescriptions Mumbai, 30 Jan 2015: Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has recently issued a standard prescription format for allopathic doctors in the state to boost an accurate, uniform, standard and clear prescription for the sake of patient safety. The new format, prepared by Medical Council of India (MCI), is applicable for all doctors who practice allopathy in the country.

Karnataka Vision Group ready with draft of Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Development Act Bengaluru, Feb 2015: The Karnataka Vision Group on Biotechnology has now put in place the draft of the Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Development Act. Efforts are on to enforce the Act by the year end.

Pharma Injections

Kerala pharmacy council appoints pharmacy inspectors in all districts Feb, 2015: For the first time in the country, the State Pharmacy Council of Kerala has appointed pharmacy inspectors in all the districts to detect violation of Pharmacy Act by community pharmacies or in-house pharmacies of Government and private hospitals. All appointments are on part-time basis.

Study: Popular Over-The-Counter Drugs May Increase Dementia Risk Washington, Feb 2015: Popular non-prescription and prescription medications, including the active ingredient in Benadryl, have been linked to increased risk of developing dementia by a study published in a top-tier medical journal.

Certain Heart Drug, Antibiotic Combo Might Be Fatal for Seniors CANADA, FEB 2015: Doctors should not prescribe spironolactone with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, study says. The combination of a widely used heart medication and a commonly prescribed antibiotic seems to more than double the risk of sudden death in seniors, a new study says.

Global Injections

Russia: criminal sanctions against fake drug pedlars Feb 2015: New laws enacted in Russia this week will see the manufacture of medicines coming both into the country and going out of it placed under heavier regulation in an attempt to stamp out counterfeits.

Lab method identifies fake Chinese herbal medicine Feb 2015: A new method of identifying an ingredient commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could help avoid accidental or deliberate substitution, say researchers.

Man jailed for selling Indian cancer drugs onlineBeijing, Feb 2015: A 34-year-old man who sold unapproved Indian cancer drugs at higher prices online was sentenced to one and a half years in jail.

Italian police recover stolen medicinesPolice in Italy have recovered $1.16m-worth of stolen pharmaceuticals from two separate warehouses in Naples, according to the Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition (PCSC).

Drug Dopes

The Year in Medicine 2014: News That Made a Difference

Ipca’s MP plant hit by ‘import alert’ from US drug regulator Mumbai, Feb, 2015 - Drug maker Ipca Laboratories Ltd has received an “import alert” from the US Food and Drug Administration banning products from its manufacturing facility in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh.

Arjuna Natural Extracts' BCM-95 receives patent for method to treat Alzheimer Bengaluru, Feb 2015: BCM-95, the patented turmeric extract formulation from Arjuna Natural Extracts Ltd has received a US patent (US Patent No. 8859020) for a composition for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease comprising curcuminoid mixture and added essential oil of turmeric. The patent also covers method of making the composition.

FDA approves Novartis eye drops Pazeo Novartis unit Alcon says the US Food and Drug Administration has approved Pazeo for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Pazeo (olopatadine 0.7%) is a daily eye drop which in two studies demonstrated statistically significantly-improved relief at 24 hours post-treatment compared to Alcon’s own Pataday (olopatadine 0.2%). Up to 30% of the US population is affected by seasonal allergy symptoms, with as many as 70%-80% of these demonstrating symptoms such as itching of the eye.

US FDA approves first tissue adhesive for internal use Maryland, Feb 2015: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved TissuGlu, the first tissue adhesive approved for internal use.

Upcoming Events

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PSM PILL

Marv Shepherd Explains the New USP Good Distribution Practices At Interchange 2014

Dr. Marv Shepherd explains the New USP Good Distribution Practices at Interchange 2014 at Partnership for Safe Medicines Interchange 2014 in Washington D.C. PSM Board member Dr. Marv Shepherd shared some of the details of the U.S. Pharmacopeia’s soon-to-be-released packaging and distribution updates to its National Formulary.

Frequently Asked Questions Q1. What is meant by Ayurveda?
Answer: Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic medicine, is a system of Hindu traditional medicine (healthy-lifestyle system) native to the Indian subcontinent used for more than 5,000 years. The term “Ayurveda” combines the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Ayurveda emphasizes good health, prevention and treatment of illness through lifestyle practices (such as massage, meditation, yoga, exercise and dietary changes) and the use of herbal remedies. Read More>>>

Q2. What is Ayurveda used for and is it safe?
Answer: People use ayurvedic practices to maintain health, reduce stress, and improve flexibility, strength, and stamina. Researchers have found that yoga and meditation can be effective ways to treat diseases such as asthma, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Ayurveda stresses proper diet for maintaining good health and treating disease. Herbal medicines are prescribed based on the person's dosha type. Researchers are studying the effects of ayurvedic herbal medicines on various long-term (chronic) illnesses. Read More>>>

Laughter Dose

Blog Addicts

Moraji patient care Association blogs: Thanks to PSM-India for acting as a pivotal force in eradicating spurious medicines all over India!

Dr. Amanda Bhatt, Health Care professional chirps: Days are changing drastically. People are now much concern of their health and rational use of medicines. We are together with PSM in their diligent work of stopping use of all type of falsified medicines in India.

Mrs. Radhika, Homemaker tweets: I am a regular reader of “The Prescription” as it provides me much information regarding safeguarding of health of our family.

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Disclaimer : Our newsletter endeavors to compile patient safety information from various sources . PSM India may not be held responsible for any article published in The Prescription.