The Prescription: Partnership For Safe Medicines India

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News Archive

EDITOR'S EMULSION

Pooja Khaitan

Warm Greetings on the onset of summer. I take this opportunity in urging all our readers to conserve water to the maximum capacity and stay hydrated always in these next few scorching months.
In every issue we hope to bring across current happenings pan India regarding medicine, health care, patient safety etc. The purpose of our editorial content is to empower readers with knowledge on essential health related issues and resources needed to enjoy optimum physical wellness every day. Your valuable suggestions and contributions mailed to me frequently keep adding to the enhancement of our newsletter. Thank you for being conscious and active.
Our article on the up rise of telemedicine healthcare services in India demonstrates how much we are aided with it’s services presently and shall be so in future too. Read More>>>

If you have any suggestions, comments or queries, please email me at pooja@jagograhakjago.com.
You may find our previous issues on 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

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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

‘Kayakalp aspires to inculcate the culture of cleanliness to gain trust and confidence of community in public health facilities- with it taking significant steps towards achieving the goal of Swachch Bharat, as clean hospitals form an integral component of the larger Mission of Clean India.’

Shri B. P Sharma,
Secretary,
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

PSM India Capsules

India's telemedicine services having promising growth in recent times

The usage of technology in the healthcare system of India has radically changed India's telemedicine market dynamics and researchers believe that it is all set to surpass Rs.200 crores by 2020.
In brief, Telemedicine is an upcoming field in health science arising out of the effective fusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with Medical Science having enormous potential in meeting the challenges of healthcare delivery to rural and remote areas besides several other applications in education, training and management in the health sector. It may be as simple as two health professionals discussing medical problems of a patient and seeking advice over a simple telephone to as complex as transmission of electronic medical records of clinical information, diagnostic tests such as E.C.G., radiological images etc. and carrying out real time interactive medical video conference with the help of IT based hardware and software, video-conference using broadband telecommunication media provided by satellite and terrestrial network. According to World Health Organisation, telemedicine is defined as, “The delivery of healthcare services, where distance is a critical factor, by all healthcare professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation, and for continuing education of healthcare providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities”.

Drug Laws & Policy Injections

DCGI may ban 619 more FDCs based on review of expert panel report, though confusion over previously banned drugs prevailMumbai, March, 2016: Following the Union health ministry's ban on 344 fixed dose combination (FDC) drugs including painkillers, anti-diabetic, respiratory and gastro-intestinal medicines, the pharma retail market may witness around 619 FDCs going off their shelves as Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) may ban them in the coming months. DCGI is currently reviewing another 619 medicines out of the total 963 FDCs found irrational by a 9-member committee headed by Prof. C.K Kokate.

Health ministry cancels repeat animal testing for new drugs already tested abroad Mumbai, March, 2016: The Union Health Ministry has done away with the practice of repeat animal testing for new drugs already tested abroad which will save a large sum of money and scores of animals per year by avoiding needlessly duplicate testing.

No clearance, no licence: Drug licensing gets bitter doseNew Delhi, March, 2016: The Union Health Ministry has pulled up the State Licensing Authorities (SLA) for granting licences to manufacturers of Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) without prior clearance from the Central Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Around 344 FDCs were recently banned in India after it was found that SLAs continued to grant licence to FDCs despite ministry's warnings.

Pharma Injections

Union Health Ministry launches new initiatives to combat TB “The Government of India stands committed to accelerating its efforts to combat tuberculosis in the country”, stated Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. He was speaking on the eve of ‘World TB Day’,. He stated that the process of fighting TB is continuous, hence there can be no dilution and do diversion. Our attention needs to be steadfast and aggressive, stated the Health Minister. He further added that resources will not be a constraint and the Government will continue to work with all stakeholders, in devising short term and long term approaches. Shri Nadda also emphasized the need for compassion in the treatment of TB patients.

Season you were born in affects allergy risk March-2016: As it turns out, the season in which a child is born can determine whether or not they are more likely to suffer from an allergy in later life. Researchers at the University of Southampton have discovered specific markers on DNA that link the season of birth to risk of allergy in later life.

Common Painkillers are more dangerous than we think March, 2016: Many are prescribed NSAIDs for the treatment of painful conditions, fever and inflammation. But the treatment also comes with side effects, including the risk of ulcers and increased blood pressure. A major new study now gathers all research in the area. This shows that arthritis medicine is particularly dangerous for heart patients, and also that older types of arthritis medicine, which have not previously been in focus, also appear to be dangerous for the heart.

Antibiotics may reduce appendicitis surgeries London, March 2016: Using antibiotics as the primary treatment for mild appendicitis does not increase the risk for complications at least in the first year and can reduce the number of surgeries by 92% within the first month of diagnosis, a new study has claimed.

Scientists discover non-opioid pain pathway in the brain Maryland March, 2016: Results from a new study, funded in part by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, demonstrate that mindfulness meditation works on a different pain pathway in the brain than opioid pain relievers. The researchers noted that because opioid and non-opioid mechanisms of pain relief interact synergistically, the results of this study suggest that combining mindfulness-based and pharmacologic/nonpharmacologic pain-relieving approaches that rely on opioid signaling may be particularly effective in treating pain.

Drug Dopes

Made in India stem cell therapy for blindness receives global validation March, 2016 Mumbai: An idea that stemmed from an intellectual exchange between Dr Virender Sangwan, Director - Srujana Centre for Innovation, Centre for Regenerative Ophthalmology and Clinical Research, and Dr Sheila McNeil, Professor of Regenerative Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden, has completely revolutionized the world of stem cell medicine today.

Biotronik launches advanced home monitoring technology in India for patients with implanted cardiac devices March, 2016- Mumbai: World’s leading cardio and endovascular technology maker Biotronik recently introduced in India its latest advanced home monitoring technology for patients with implanted cardiac devices such as pacemakers, implantable defibrillators (ICDs) and heart failure devices.

FDA to ban powdered medical gloves March, 2016 : The US FDA has announced a proposal to ban most powdered gloves. They pose an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury to health care providers, patients and other individuals who are exposed to them, which cannot be corrected through new or updated labelling.

Fitastik launches medical record keeping application for smart phone Mumbai, March, 2016: Fitastik, a complete health management solution company, has launched its mobile application (app) to provide medical record keeping services to its users on their smart phones. Available for download free of cost, both on android phones and Apple’s iPhone, Fitastik is a cloud-based secure platform that takes charge of entire health management by storage of medical records and other important health data in a digitized format.

FDA approves new treatment to treat severe asthma March, 2016: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Cinqair (reslizumab) for use with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of severe asthma in patients aged 18 years and older. Cinqair is approved for patients who have a history of severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) despite receiving their current asthma medicines.

National Injections

In Mumbai, 63% increase in extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis cases Mumbai, March 2016 : An increasing number of patients in the city are contracting the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria which do not respond to the known anti-tuberculosis drugs. Between 2014 and 2015, the Municipal corporation saw a 63% increase in the number of patients being diagnosed of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB).

Academicians hail DCGI ban of FDCs, say it is a bold step for protecting public health Chennai, March 2016: Pharmacy experts and academicians welcomed the bold decision of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to ban the manufacturing and sale of 344 irrational combinations in the domestic market. The pharmacy teachers who teach the efficacy and side effects of drugs say that the DCGI has taken the decision for the safety of the people of the country.

7 north-eastern states alerted about spurious drug supply Solan, March 2016: Drug control administrations of seven north-eastern states have been alerted about the supply of spurious drugs by Kala Amb-based pharmaceutical firm Vardhman Pharma following a raid at the firm last week.

Global Injections

Massive illegal vaccine network exposed in China March, 2016: A criminal operation that has been supplying illegal and dangerous vaccines and biologics in China has been uncovered by the authorities.

Bangladesh, South Korea confirm first case of Zika virus Bangladesh confirmed its first case of Zika virus infection in an old blood sample of a 67-year-old man who had not been overseas

At least 5 dead in Guinea Ebola flare-up: Health officials confirmConakry , March, 2016: Ebola has likely killed five people in Guinea after re-emerging in the country's south, Health authorities said Tuesday, as Liberia announced it was closing their shared border to guard against the spread of the virus.

Switzerland raises alarm over counterfeit HarvoniMarch, 2016: Switzerland's medicines regulator is concerned that European consumers may be at risk of encountering counterfeit versions of Gilead Sciences' hepatitis C drug Harvoni.

Warning about counterfeit eye drops in SingaporeMarch, 2016: The authorities in Singapore have warned the public about counterfeit versions of a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) product that pose health and safety concerns.

PSM PILL

International Principles for Drug Safety

Patient safety is being compromised due to counterfeit drugs. Around the world, patients are encountering fake medicines. The packaging seems right, the tablets or capsules look the same—but these fakes are really imitations of government-approved drugs created in unsanitary or unsterile conditions with unsafe manufacturing practices. Counterfeit drugs may be too strong or too weak, missing key ingredients or made with dangerous, even toxic substances. Drug safety can be compromised by taking medications past the expiration date or if they are labeled, stored or handled improperly.

Frequently Asked Questions Q1. Difference between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
Answer: Osteoporosis is a medical condition where decreased bone strength increases the risk of a broken bone. It is the most common reason for a broken bone among the elderly. Bones that commonly break include the back bones, the bones of the forearm, and the hip. Osteoporosis itself has no symptoms; its main consequence is the increased risk of bone fractures. Osteoporotic fractures occur in situations where healthy people would not normally break a bone; they are therefore regarded as fragility fractures. Typical fragility fractures occur in the vertebral column, rib, hip and wrist..Read More>>>

Q2. Difference between haemophilia and Thalassemia
Answer: Haemophilia is a group of hereditary genetic disorders that impairs the body's ability to control blood clotting, which is used to stop bleeding when a blood vessel is broken. The blood coagulation mechanism is a process which transforms the blood from a liquid into a solid, and involves several different clotting factors. The mechanism generates fibrin when it is activated, which together with the platelet plug, stops the bleeding. Read More>>>

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Blog Addicts

Dr. Arunesh, Physician tweets The announcement to make available quality medicines at affordable prices by reinvigorating the supply of generic drugs, through opening of 3,000 stores in 2016-17, under Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana, is a very welcome and innovative move by the government. Thanks to PSM-India to keep us updated with this and other important news.

Mrs. Kanchan, Academician blogsI really enjoy your PSM articles on newer diseases. Focus should be on prevention rather than treatment!

Dr. Pulkit Parikar , General Physician wrote Read about Govt ban on FDC’s in your last newsletter edition. This has been a great move. We need to dramatically change our speed of regulation & development to enhance patient safety. !

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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.