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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
"A recent study published in The Lancet from China suggested that it tended to show that it did not have a mortality benefit, no benefit as far as survival was concerned, but it did show that the degree of the stay in the hospital or the time to recovery was shortened to some extent for those who took Remdesivir. It is a drug that needs more studies or details but because of the fact that we don’t have anything, the FDA gave emergency use authorisation to Remdesivir. It has also allowed Hydroxychloroquine to be used and we need to have more studies."
Dr Randeep Guleria
Director
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Sponsor
Patient Safety Capsules
Repurposed Drugs Offer Hope In India’s Covid Fight
NEW DELHI, 7 MAY 2020: Lopinavir/ritonavir — a fixed-dose combination of drugs used for treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS — has been approved for use in Covid-19 patients. India’s apex body for health research, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has issued detailed guidelines stating that the drug combination can be used to treat hospitalised patients with a moderate degree of severity, for example respiratory distress with respiratory rate =22/min or SpO2 <94% and new-onset organ dysfunction.
Mega FDI Plan To Focus On Faster Pharma Approvals
New Delhi, 11 May 2020: The government has begun examining ways to shore up foreign investments, including a fast-track mechanism to clear applications of companies especially in the pharmaceutical sector that are looking at India with the US pushing its companies to relocate from China.
Drug Laws & Policy Injections
Modi Orders Overhaul Of Drug Regulatory SystemNew Delhi, 6 May 2020: At a late Tuesday afternoon meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi showered praise on academics, industry and start-ups for setting aside their reservations and joining hands to power India’s research to develop tests, vaccines and drugs for Covid-19. But PM Modi had one lurking concern.
Centre Dilutes Testing Rules As Cases Rise Bengaluru, 10 May 2020: As nationwide Covid-19 cases inched towards the 60,000 mark, the Health Ministry, in a bid to relieve pressure on testing, revised its discharge policy for Covid-19 patients. The ministry ruled out Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests for mild, very mild and moderate cases before discharge.
Mild Cases Can Be Discharged Without Test: Health MinistryNEW DELHI, 10 MAY 2020: In a move that is likely to reduce India’s need for Covid-19 testing kits, the health ministry has said that mild and moderate cases do not need to be tested prior to the discharge of patients from hospital. So far, patients had to test negative twice prior to discharge. The new directive is part of the revised policy for discharge of Covid-19 patients from hospitals.
Novel Cloud-Based Web Interface Detects COVID-19 From CT ScansNew Delhi, 8 May 2020: Researchers have developed an easy-to-use cloud-based web interface powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that they say can detect COVID-19 quickly from radiology reports such as CT scan or X-Rays. The system may enable doctors and medical staff even in remotest villages of the country to get quick results on the COVID-19 status of a patient, the researchers said.
CSIR Approves Project To Develop 'HmAbs' That Can Neutralize SARS-CoV-2New Delhi, 8 May 2020: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), through its New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) program, has approved a multi-institutional project to develop human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs) that can neutralize coronavirus in patients.
'Project CARD' To Push Local Production Of Testing KitsMUMBAI, 7 MAY 2020: Niti Aayog and the Department of Biotechnology have launched the Consortium for Affordable & Rapid Diagnostics (CARD) to scale up India’s capacity to make coronavirus testing kits.
Pharma Injections
Pharma Sector Misses $22bn Export TargetHyderabad, 9 May 2020: The Covid-19 pandemic hit pharma sector’s ambitions of clocking double-digit exports growth to touch a record $22 billion in financial year 2019-20, as a result of which exports grew only 7.57% to $20.58 billion from $19.13 billion in 2018-19, latest data by apex pharma exports promotion body Pharmexcil show.
Lockdown Hits Production By Telangana's Bulk Drug ManufacturersHYDERABAD, 8 MAY 2020: Despite being exempted from lockdown, the bulk drug manufacturers in Telangana are operating at only 50 per cent of their capacity, struggling to meet the demand for critical drugs including anti-viral drugs for treating COVID-19 patients in sufficient quantities.
Bharat Biotech Leads To Develop Antibodies Against Covid-19 NEW DELHI, 8 MAY 2020: Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech, which is working on nasal vaccine CoroFlu against coronavirus in collaboration with US researchers, is also leading a CSIR-sanctioned project to develop human monoclonal antibodies as therapy for Covid-19 infection.
CSIR To Begin Two Drug Trials For COVID-19 New Delhi, 8 May 2020: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has received approval from Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) for its two clinical trial drugs - ''favipiravir'' and ''phytopharmaceutical'' - to combat coronavirus.
Govt. Mulling Mass Production Of Medical Items THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 7 MAY 2020: The government has constituted an expert committee to submit recommendations for the manufacture of medical devices and equipment by State-owned enterprises.
Compendium Of Indian Technologies For Combating COVID-19 Launched By CSIR DG New Delhi, 6 May 2020: A “Compendium of Indian Technologies for Combating COVID-19 (Tracing, Testing and Treating)” prepared by National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) was launched by Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Govt. of India at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi.
Drug Dopes
Maha FDA Detects 39 Cases Of Non-Compliance To EC OrderMumbai, 11 May 2020: In its ongoing crackdown on illegal sale of hand sanitisers and masks, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detected 39 cases of non-compliance to Essential Commodities (EC) Order and Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Act out of the total 158 calls received through its toll free helpline numbers. 
Govt Bans Export Of Alcohol-Based Hand SanitisersNew Delhi, 6 May 2020: The Union government on Wednesday banned the export of alcohol-based hand sanitisers to other nations also grappling with the coronavirus pandemic.
Pharma Unit Employee Tests Corona Positive In Paonta Sahib Solan, 9 May 2020: A woman employee of a pharma company residing at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district has tested positive for Covid-19. Sirmaur SP Ajay Krishan Sharma said the woman was staying with a roommate at Paonta Sahib and she belonged to Uttar Pradesh.
Gujarat FDCA Initiates Action Against 2 Companies Based In Patan And Ahmedabad For Illegal Sale Of Drugs Mumbai, 9 May 2020: The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) has initiated action against two companies based in Patan and Ahmedabad for illegal sale of narcotics and psychotropic substances like alprazolam and codeine containing cough syrups. These two firms were selling alprazolam and codeine containing products without a valid bill and prescription in violation of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Act.
Pumpkins Stuffed With Phensedyl Worth Rs 53,000 Seized From Smugglers At Indo-Bangladesh Border 24 Pargana, 7 May 2020: In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the lockdown and sealing of the international border along West Bengal and Bangladesh has failed to dampen the spirits of miscreants across the India Bangladesh border as they are still actively smuggling Phensedyl, narcotics, and fake Indian currency notes.
Huge Mark-Ups, Even On PPE, Send Private Hospitals Bills SoaringNew Delhi, 6 May 2020: What inflates Covid-19 treatment bills in private hospitals is much the same as what inflated bills in pre-Covid days — huge margins on diagnostics, consumables and medicines. What is new are inflated charges for protective gear and separate charges for bio-waste disposal as if hospitals did not have hazardous bio-waste disposal practices in place before Covid happened.
National Injections
Reliance Plans To Buy E-Pharmacy Netmeds BENGALURU, 6 MAY 2020: Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in online pharmacy Netmeds as part of its broader play in commerce, said three sources familiar with the development. The deal may see Reliance, through one of its subsidiaries, pay $130-150 million for the asset, which may also include a fresh infusion to expand the operations, said one of the sources mentioned earlier. "The deal is happening at a slight premium to their last funding round valuation," said the source.
10-Day Quarantine Enough Instead Of 14 Or 28 Days?THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 5 MAY 2020: Revised and less rigorous guidelines for monitoring and isolation of Covid-19 patients published on Sunday by the US's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has caught the attention of Indian Council of Medical Research. It is reliably learnt that ICMR, which issues Covid-19 guidelines in India, has sought permission from the Union government to amend the Indian guidelines in tune with the new CDC guidelines.
Comparison Between Hydroxychloroquine And Remdesivir Is Not Right At This Moment, Says CSIR New Delhi, 5 May 2020: It is too early to say whether Hydroxychloroquine or Remdesivir works better against COVID-19, as it can be ascertained only after conducting trials, according to the Director-General (DG) of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Shekhar C Mande.
DMA Says Quacks Practising In Delhi During COVID Pandemic New Delhi, 4 May 2020: The Delhi Medical Association on Monday said quacks are practising in the national capital during the coronavirus pandemic, "playing with the lives of people".
PPE Suppliers Providing Unauthentic Certificates To Buyers Including Govt Procurement Agencies Mumbai, 6 May 2020: With increased demand for personal protective equipment (PPEs) in the country due to COVID-19 pandemic, unauthentic and fraudulent certificates are being provided by PPE suppliers to purchasers including government procurement agencies, putting the frontline healthcare workers’ life at risk, according to accrediting agencies and market sources.
DCGI Extends Validity Of Registration Of BA/BE Study Centres Mumbai, 5 May 2020: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has clarified that registration of bioavailability-bioequivalence (BA-BE) study centres is valid if application for renewal has been made 90 days prior to expiry in accordance with New Drugs and Clinical Trial (NDCT) Rules 2019.
Global Injections
US FDA Moves To Stop Fraudulent COVID-19 ProductsWashington, 8 May 2020: form of human misery can be allowed to go unexploited, and the pandemic, it seems, is no exception. As part of Operation Quack Hack, the Food and Drug Administration has stepped up its investigation and enforcement efforts against companies..
Triple Antiviral Drug Shows Early Promise In COVID-19 Trial LONDON, 9 MAY 2020 (Reuters) : A triple drug combination of antiviral medicines helped relieve symptoms in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection and swiftly reduced the amount of virus in their bodies, according to results of a small trial in Hong Kong.
Researchers Release COVID-19 Symptom Tracker App
Boston, 5 May 2020: A consortium of scientists with expertise in big data research and epidemiology recently developed a COVID Symptom Tracker app aimed at rapidly collecting information to aid in the response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As reported in the journal Science, early use of the app by more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. and the U.K has generated valuable data about COVID-19 for physicians, scientists, and public officials to better fight the viral outbreak.
Coronavirus May Cause Fatal Blood Clots Harming Organs From Brain To Toes: Doctors
New York, 5 May 2020: Another threat from the lung virus that causes Covid-19 has emerged that may cause swift, sometimes fatal damage: blood clots.
Boxed Warning Added To Montelukast Labeling
Washington, 1 May 2020: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the updated labeling for montelukast to include the addition of a Boxed Warning related to serious neuropsychiatric events. The action was taken following a review of study data and case reports related to neuropsychiatric adverse events reported in patients treated with montelukast.
US FDA Allows Emergency Use For Investigational Antiviral Drug Remdesivir
WASHINGTON, 1 MAY 2020: U.S. regulators on Friday allowed emergency use of an experimental drug that appears to help some coronavirus patients recover faster.
PSAIIF PILL
Ayurvedic Drug Zingivir-H Tab Gets Nod For Clinical Trials
KOCHI, 4 may 2020: An ayurvedic medicine, Zingivir-H tablet, used for treating respiratory infections has got approval from the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) for clinical trials on adults who have tested positive for Covid-19. CTRI comes under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Police Ask Pharmacies Not To Sell Select Drugs Without Prescription
Ramanathapuram, 2 May 2020: Miscreants purchasing select drugs across the counter to get a high has forced the Ramanathapuram district police to issue an advisory to pharmacies not to sell a list of drugs without prescription.While the closure of Tasmac outlets has made many addicts to come up with innovative methods to brew illicit liquor, some are resorting to purchasing medicines used for treating cough, anxiety and panic disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hygiene Reduce The Need For Antibiotics By Up To 30% ?
Cardiff, UK, 8 May 2020: According to a new Position Paper published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) online, improved everyday hygiene practices, such as hand-washing, reduces the risk of common infections by up to 50%, reducing the need for antibiotics, by up to 30%. Global public health experts responsible for the Position Paper, are now calling for home and community hygiene to become part of strategic plans to reduce hundreds of thousands of deaths from AMR globally each year. Read More>>>
SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM
No Confirmed Treatment For Virus Yet: MoH
NEW DELHI, 1 MAY 2020: The health ministry on Thursday said there was, so far, no confirmed treatment protocol for Covid-19 and nothing conclusive had come up as far as vaccines were concerned. “Multiple organisations in the government are engaged in multiple vaccine trials for Covid-19. Besides, we are also part of solidarity trials with the WHO. Some candidate vaccines have been identified. But, nothing conclusive has come up,” said the health ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal.
Blog Addicts
Mr Ankit Srivastava, Professional Excellent articles being published every edition. Very enjoyable.
Ms Anamika Bhosle, Pharma expert Indeed a pleasure to receive the newsletter and read it. Well done.
Mr Sandeep Garg, MBBS
Presented very beautifully and aptly captures important developments in the Pharma space.
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