Greetings to all my readers!
Remembering one of the famous quotes of Denis Waitley, that “Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.” Such a situation has developed nationwide for noodles crazy Indians with the presence of lead and higher levels of monosodium glutamate in Nestle’s 2 minute noodles- “Maggi” and thereby consequent banning of the famous fast food across India. As this has been the most highlighted news of the fortnight, so PSM India also took a sneak peek at its changing image and therefore conveying the message to all its readers that it’s best to stay away from junk food and develop a healthy lifestyle. Just because you’re not sick doesn’t mean you’re healthy. Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise. Simultaneously we should also be alert of falsified, adulterated, substandard, spurious and fake medicines.
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Happy Reading !
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy !
Pooja Khaitan
Chief Editor ,
The PRESCRIPTION
Partnership for Safe Medicines India.
“Consumers are a vulnerable lot for exploitation, more so in a developing country with the prevalence of mass poverty and illiteracy. The challenges that we confront would require policy coherence and coordinated program implementation, harmonization of the legislative framework and the regulatory apparatus”
Shri Keshav Desiraju, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs
Government of India
For past more than two decades, “Maggi” has been one of the indispensable food products in India. From children to aged , all have been greatly fond of the tasty snack item and many a times it has ruled over the kitchen and captured the place of our day to day meals like lunch, breakfast, dinner, party food , exam food etc. But unfortunately, from being India’s favourite “2 minute noodles”, Maggi is now just a symbol of being “lead” down. It’s been making headlines lately for all the wrong reasons. As it faces countrywide scrutiny, tests have been conducted in various states across the country like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to check for lead and MSG content and recently it has been ordered for a recall by the Food Safety and standards authority of India.
Debate: #2MinuteMuddle: How did it go unnoticed?
by TIMES NOW 3rd June, 2015
In the NEWSHOUR debate on, TIMES NOW's Anand Narasimhan & Padmaja Joshi and panelists debate on: Maggi noodles being at the centre of a raging storm after UP FDA tests found higher than stipulated levels, concerns rising over the safety of the two-minute noodles, and as to how it all went unnoticed for these many years.
https://in.screen.yahoo.com/times-now/debate-2minutemuddle-did-unnoticed-182038314.html
PSM-India had previously also brought forward the information on deceptive advertisements which lure consumers in falling prey to products which are either not standardised, efficient, have proper therapeutic safety evaluated and therefore can cause health hazards and other harassments to consumers. We condemn such illegal activities and hope that patients or consumers should become more precautious of falsified medicines, products etc. Recently again, 185 advertisers come under ASCI scanner for flouting guidelines.
Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to withstand the antimicrobial power of antibiotics. Simply put, antibiotics that used to cure an infection no longer work. Antibiotic resistance is a global threat, and The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers antibiotic resistance one of their top health concerns. Infections with drug-resistant bacteria may lead to longer hospital stays, more costly care, and an increased risk of death.
A spoonful of honey can quieten children’s’ night time cough and help them and their parents sleep better.
• Calcium carbide powder is usually kept wrapped in paper between the fruits (unripe mangoes) in a basket or box.
US FDA issues draft guidance on reportable chemistry, mfg. & control changes for approved drug & biologicsBengaluru, June , 2015: The US FDA has issued a draft guidance on the established conditions: Reportable Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) changes for approved drug and biologic products. The regulator expects the biopharmaceutical industry to provide their comments before July 31, 2015.
Live Anthrax Spores Sent Accidentally to U.S. LabsThe Pentagon accidentally shipped live anthrax spores to government and commercial laboratories in at least nine states and one overseas location, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
Linda Marks offers her views on Criminal Prosecutions and Patient Safety at Interchange 2014
Linda Marks, Senior Litigation Counsel for the Consumer Protection Branch of the Department of Justice, moderated Interchange 2014’s panel on criminal prosecutions and the patient safety issues that result from misbranded medication. In her opening remarks, she described the work the Department of Justice has done to combat counterfeit and misbranded drugs.
The National Crime Prevention Council wants consumers to buy medicines safely
June 8, 2015: The National Crime Prevention Council has released a guide about how to find a safe online pharmacy and protect yourself from products that may be contaminated, counterfeit or non-FDA approved. The brochure reviews safety precautions and provides information about how to report suspicious drugs.
Frequently Asked Questions Q1. What are Heavy Metals and how they impact health? Is it necessary to monitor heavy metals in medicine/pharmaceutical product?
Answer: The term ‘Heavy metal’ refers to any metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations. The term has particular application to cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic; which have high exposure risk to human body.
Cadmium: Long-term exposure to cadmium is associated with renal dysfunction. High exposure can lead to obstructive lung disease and has been linked to lung cancer.
Mercury: Tremors, gingivitis and/or minor psychological changes, together with spontaneous abortion and congenital malformation.
Lead: Toxic effects depending on the level and duration of exposure. High levels of exposure may result Anaemia, toxic effects on the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, joints and reproductive system, and acute or chronic damage to the nervous system.
Arsenic: Chronic exposure may lead to diabetes, Hypopigmentation and even Cancer
Q2. What are the major chemicals of public health concern?
Answer: Chemicals are part of our daily life. All living and inanimate matter is made up of chemicals and virtually every manufactured product involves the use of chemicals. Many chemicals can, when properly used, significantly contribute to the improvement of our quality of life, health and well-being. But other chemicals are highly hazardous and can negatively affect our health and environment when improperly managed. Table 1 represents the names of chemicals that poses public health risk.
Mr. Pulkit Kapur, Physician conveys Loads of luck and positive attitude towards the commitment shown by PSM-India in betterment of the health of all Indians!
Mrs. Payel Banerjee Pharma professional and health care activist blogs: Medicines are obligatory part of our daily life. Well done PSM for always publishing such important information on medicines in your bulletins. Congratulations-kudos!
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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.