The Prescription: Partnership For Safe Medicines India

The Prescription: 17th September 2016 Issue

Editor’s Emulsion PSM INDIA Capsules Drug Laws & Policy Injections Pharma Injections DRUG DOPES National Injections Global Injections PSM Pill DOSE OF THE DAY FAQ Subscriber's Symptom UpComing Events Laughter Dose Blog Addict Contact Us

News Archive

EDITOR'S EMULSION

Pooja Khaitan

Greetings!

Tuberculosis is the deadliest and one of the most communicable disease in the world. A recent study reveals that India may have up to three times more TB patients than estimated. Even if the Indian healthcare system is delivering a standardized tuberculosis treatment all across the country. It is seriously a matter of concern that in 2014, almost 7 million cases of TB had been treated by Indian Healthcare service providers, when it was believed to have about 2.2 million cases only. At the same time, a recent research on the early life exposure to antibiotics that can cause allergies in later ages was presented at European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress in London, are the articles to read in PSM India Capsule. Read More>>>

If you have any suggestions, comments or queries, please email me at pooja@jagograhakjago.com.
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Happy Reading !
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy !

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

DOSE OF THE DAY

“Donate your eyes without a worry, Eye donation is a simple procedure. A person can pledge eyes during the life time by filling a pledge form. The only requirement is that the eyes have to be removed within six hours of death.” said Dr Jeewan Singh Titiyal, Chairman, National Eye Bank (NEB) and head of Dr RP Eye Center at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Delhi."

Dr Jeewan Singh Titiyal
Chairman, National Eye Bank (NEB)

PSM India Capsules

PSM India Initiative on Universal health Coverage (UHC)

In the interest of public welfare, write a message on Indian Post Card to the Prime Minister of India, at 7 Race Course, New Delhi-11; demanding Universal Health Coverage for all and a minimum of 5% GDP expenditure on Healthcare from the next union budget. We request all our readers to be a part of this novel Post Card Campaign from October 2, 2016.

PSM India at Colombo

Statements made by Mr.Bejon Misra , at the SIXTY-NINTH Session of the WHO South East Asia Regional SEARO Committee Meeting at Colombo, Sri Lanka on 7th September 2016 on behalf of International Alliance of Patients' Organisations (IAPO) as a Board Member.

Click below links to know more:

Statement by IAPO on Migration and Health
Statement by IAPO on Promoting Physical Activity in SEA Region
Tentative Programme
Provisional Agenda

India may have up to three times more TB patients than assumed: Lancet

Ground zero of the global battle against one of humankind's deadliest diseases, India could have between two and three times more tuberculosis (TB) cases than currently assumed, said a recent paper released in 'Lancet', a medical journal. The study found that in 2014, the private sector treated between 1.9 million and 5.34 million cases -- or about double the cases handled by government-run hospitals.

Early life exposure to antibiotics can cause allergies in late ages

A recent research shows that exposure to antibiotics early in life is related to increased risk of developing allergies in late ages.
In this new research, huge databases were searched for observation and assessment of the association between antibiotic consumption during the first two years of life and the risk of eczema or hay fever later in life.

Drug Laws & Policy Injections

Act against drug menace to get tough SHIMLA, SEP 2016: To give more teeth to the Act to fight drug menace in Himachal Pradesh, the state government tabled the Drugs and Cosmetics (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the assembly. To make the Act more stringent, it has been decided to insert new provisions to place the burden of proof on the person from whose possession drug is seized. At present, the burden of proof lies on the prosecution and culprit takes advantage in the court if local witnesses turn hostile.

Karnataka govt approves dedicated pharma policy for state, moots incubators in pharmacy colleges Bengaluru, September 2016: Karnataka government is all set to provide a boost to the pharma sector in the state with cabinet approving a dedicated Pharmaceutical Policy. The Pharmaceutical Policy will become part of state's Industrial Policy as a separate chapter. The specific benefits extended to pharma sector are in addition to benefits under state's Industrial Policy. The government has now devised a three pronged approach to spur sustained growth in drug research, development and manufacturing space. It has now mooted creation of an incubation centre, financial assistance to students in Finishing Schools and incentives to industry to capture new opportunities.

NPPA’s guidelines for recoverySeptember 2016: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority is taking one more step towards recovering the outstanding overcharged amounts on medicines from the pharmaceutical companies. Last week it issued some ‘internal guidelines’ to speed up the process of recovery.

Government to amend norms for fixing drug pricesNew Delhi, September 2016: Ananth Kumar, minister for chemicals and fertilizers, promised to amend the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) in the next 15 days, enabling the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, or NPPA, to regulate the prices of around 350 drugs for which market data is not available.

Pharma Injections

Contraceptive pills driving fall in ovarian cancer deaths September 2016: Widespread use of oral contraceptives has driven the fall in deaths from ovarian cancer worldwide, a major study has found. Deaths from ovarian cancer fell worldwide between 2002 and 2012 and are predicted to continue to decline in the US, European Union (EU) and, though to a smaller degree, in Japan by 2020, said the study published in the journal Annals of Oncology.

An era of untreatable skin infections Mumbai, Sept 2016: Dermatologists across India have warned of "an epidemic of fungal infections" that even the strongest antifungal creams are failing to treat. The bigger concern: topical steroid creams, which doctors say have turned these infections resilient, are fast-selling products and are readily available over the counter, even as their efficacy remains questionable.

Thyroid Levels in High-Normal Range May Be Linked to Cardiac Arrest September 2016: People with higher levels of thyroid hormone in their bloodstream may be at greater risk of sudden cardiac death, even if those levels aren't abnormally high, a new study suggests."Our study shows that the risk of sudden cardiac death increases with higher thyroid hormone levels, even in the normal range," said lead researcher Dr. Layal Chaker, a research fellow in endocrinology and epidemiology at Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Drug Dopes

Updated LIST OF NEW DRUGS APPROVED FROM 01-01-2016 TILL DATE BY NEW DRUGS DIVISION, CDSCO, FDA Bhawan, New Delhi List of New Drug Approved by FDA

Takeda to develop Zika Vaccine with up to $312 million in funding from US Government OSAKA, Japan, September 2016: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited [TSE: 4502], (“Takeda”) today announced that BARDA, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, has selected Takeda’s Vaccine Business Unit to develop a vaccine to support the Zika response in the US and affected regions around the world. Initial funding from BARDA, which is a division of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the US Department of Health and Human Services, is for $19.8 million to cover the vaccine development through Phase 1, with potential funding of up to $312 million if ASPR/BARDA exercises all options to take the vaccine through Phase 3 trials and filing of the Biologics License Application (BLA) in the US.

Cipla gets USFDA nod for overactive bladder treating drug MUMBAI, September 2016: Pharma major Cipla said it has received final approval for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Darifenacin extended-release tablets from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). "We have received final approval for ANDA for Darifenacin extended-release tablets, 7.5 mg and 15mg, from USFDA," a company statement said here.

EC Approves Crizotinib for ROS1-Positive NSCLC New York, September 2016: The European Commission (EC) has approved crizotinib (Xalkori) as a treatment for patients with advanced ROS1-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), based on an improvement in objective response rate (ORR) in a phase I study.

New drug found to reduce exacerbations in uncontrolled asthma September 2016: A new asthma drug currently in development has been found to reduce exacerbations in severe, uncontrolled asthma in two advanced trials involving more than 2,500 patients.

Generic drugs: Quality assurance required September 2016: The drug scenario in India consists of three types of drugs. First is patented drug. The Patent Act requires that the innovator of a new drug will have monopoly over sale of the drug for 20 years. During this period, the innovator company can charge any price that it wishes. The idea is that the high price charged in these 20 years compensates for the expenditure incurred in research and development of the drug. However, the Government can issue compulsory license of a patented drug within these 20 years if the drug is necessary for maintenance of public health and the innovator is charging a high price.

Drugs worth Rs 2.91 crore found substandard Thiruvananthapuram, September 2016: The Kerala Medical Services Corporation limited has found that drugs worth Rs 2.91 crore which have been supplied by various companies as substandard. Major cause of concern is the fact that it has been found some of the batches of these drugs are already consumed by the patients.

Substandard drugs in Indian domestic market comes down to 4.5% from 8% Mumbai, September 2016: Trends on sub-standard drugs based on a nation-wide study coupled with routine random- sampling exercises done over a period of one year reveals that presence of sub-standard drugs in India has considerably come down from 8 per cent to 4.5 per cent.

Spurious medicines flooding South Assam SILCHAR, Sept 2016: When it comes to Assam, all kinds of shady companies and unscrupulous dealers get a free run to dupe and shortchange consumers. Of late, spurious medicine has been added to this growing list, posing a great threat to public health, particularly in Barak Valley of South Assam.

National Injections

Zika virus may be lurking in Gujarat: NIV Pune, September 2016: A recent research paper of the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, ought to alert the Gujarat health department about the possibility of the Zika virus (ZiV) being dormant in the state and waiting for the right opportunity to cause an epidemic.

Centre to launch door-to-door leprosy detection campaign Chennai, September 2016: Alarmed over the increase in number of persons with disabilities caused by leprosy, the government of India will launch a door-to-door leprosy case detection campaign in 163 districts in the country, including Erode in the State.

Conjoined twins surprise doctors, their parents say ‘can’t let one die Mumbai, September 2016: In an un-illuminated narrow alley deep inside the Naik Nagar slum, at least four curious neighbours climb up a wobbly metal staircase every day to enquire, “Judwaa bachche yahan rehte hain (Do the twins live here)?” An exasperated Shahin Khan attempts to drive them away. Ever since she came home from Sion Hospital with her conjoined twins, her 10X10 ft dwelling has become well-known in the slum as “judwaa bachchon ka ghar”.

Tamil Nadu gives 9 months maternity leave for government staff Chennai, September 2016: Government employees in Tamil Nadu can now avail nine months (36 weeks) of maternity leave, putting the state in the same league as western democracies. In fact, the duration of maternity leave in Tamil Nadu is now well ahead of the same in the United States (12 weeks), Switzerland (14 weeks), Italy (20 weeks) France and the Netherlands (16 weeks).

Malaria claims 31-year-old’s life, second death of season New Delhi, September 2016: At a time when the city is battling the dual threat of dengue and chikungunya, comes another blow: the season's second death due to Malaria. Officials confirmed that a 31-year-old man, a resident of east Delhi's Mandawali, had succumbed to the disease in Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday.

Thalassemia boy 'given' HIV infected blood BERHAMPUR, September 2016: In a suspected case of medical negligence, a four-year-old boy suffering from thalassemia has reportedly contracted HIV after he was allegedly given infected blood at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here. The hospital authorities on Tuesday set up a five-member panel and ordered an inquiry.

Global Injections

Health Minister JP Nadda to lead yoga session at WHO conference Colombo, September 2016: Health Minister J.P. Nadda will lead the yoga session at the 69th session of the WHO Regional Committee of the Southeast Asia region here on Wednesday, a statement said.

13 Indians Test Positive For Zika In Singapore: Foreign Ministry New Delhi, Sept 2016: Foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday that 13 Indians have tested positive for the Zika virus in Singapore, after an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease that at first affected three dozen workers on a construction site.

WHO certifies Sri Lanka malaria-freeColombo, Sept 2016: In a remarkable public health achievement, Sri Lanka has been certified as malaria-free island country by World Health Organization (WHO).

Medical wonder: UK doctors stop 9-month-old infant's heart for 15 hours to perform life-saving surgeryLondon, September 2016: A nine-month-old UK baby survived against all odds after doctors stopped his tiny heart for 15 hours. Nathan Byrne, who was born with a large hole in his heart and faced certain death, has survived a marathon surgery.

Singapore says Zika infections spread, nearly 190 casesSingapore, September 2016: Singapore said it had found 38 more people who had contracted Zika, raising to 189 the number infected with the mosquito-borne virus since authorities reported the first locally transmitted case six days ago.

PSM PILL

FDA-OCI director George Karavetsos explains the dangers of fake medication on “The Doctors”

George Karavetsos, the director of FDA-OCI, discussed patient risks from counterfeit medication in a recent episode of the daytime TV show, “The Doctors,” and shared a short film called FDA Supplement Truth that illustrates the dangers posed by many, seemingly innocent dietary supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions Q1. Temporal Arteritis
Answer: Temporal arteritis is inflammation and damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the head.
If the inflammation affects the arteries in your neck, upper body and arms, it is called giant cell arteritis.
Causes
Temporal, giant cell, and cranial arteritis occur when one or more arteries become inflamed, swollen, and tender. Temporal arteritis commonly occurs in the arteries around the temples (temporal arteries). These vessels branch off from the carotid artery in the neck. However, the condition can occur in medium-to-large arteries in other places in the body.Read More>>>

SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM

Build Your Body With Healthy Diet

Article contributed by one of our Subscriber: Ms. Ruchi, Dietitian, New Delhi

A healthy diet is one that helps to maintain or improve one’s overall health and well-being. We all know that eating a healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid certain health difficulties, but your diet can also have an extreme effect on your mood and sense of well-being. A healthy diet is not about strict dietary limitations, staying idealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foodstuffs you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, improving your outlook, and soothing your mood.

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Blog Addicts

Ms. Deepshikha, Medical Student: PSM- India is indeed helping the community to stay aware of the incidences of spurious and substandard drugs. Keep it up!

Mr. Satish Sahini, Blogger:Thank You! PSM-India for creating consciousness among the people to know their medication closely.

Dr. Shailesh Singh, Cardiologist: With all its hard work and continuous effort, PSM-India is honestly delivering a quality healthcare support to all and help India achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage. Great Work!

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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.