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EDITOR'S EMULSION
Warm Greetings!
Welcome to yet another exciting month and a most pleasant Reading of our newsletter.
Amidst this environment of a global pandemic where India too is taking precautionary measures to limit the impact of the virus on its citizens; I am hopeful that we tide over this situation successfully and wish you all safety from this disease to which there is no cure as of today. Pray that a vaccine to combat this develops soon.
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
"If we are not able to manage the upcoming 21 days (of nationwide complete lockdown), we will be pushed back 21 years. Today, India is at the stage where our actions today will decide to what extent we can bring down the impact of this disaster. This is the time to strengthen our resolve again and again."
Mr Narendra Modi
Hon'ble Prime Minister
Government of India
Sponsor
PSM India Capsules
Govt Announces Rs. 13,760-Cr Package To Boost API & Medical Device Production
Mumbai, 24 March 2020: With the coronavirus outbreak disrupting supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and medical devices from China to India, the government has come out with four schemes worth Rs 13,760 crore to encourage manufacturing of bulk drugs and medical devices in the country and their exports.
Novel Coronavirus Doesn't Spread Airborne: WHO
New Delhi, 23 Mar 2020 (ANI): The World Health Organisation's (WHO) South-East Asia office on Monday said that the novel coronavirus doesn't spread airborne. However, there has been a reported possibility of aerosol transmission in a relatively closed environment with prolonged exposure.
Drug Laws & Policy Injections
Govt Notifies New Rules For Blood Banks For Effective ComplianceMumbai, 24 March 2020: Government has notified new rules for blood banks under the Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2020 for effective compliance based on Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) recommendation.
ICMR: Isolation May Cut Peak Numbers By 89% NEW DELHI, 25 MARCH 2020: Strictly implemented social distancing measures such as home quarantine can reduce the overall expected number of cases by 62% and peak number of cases by 89%, thus “flattening” the curve and providing more opportunities for interventions, a mathematical modelling done by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) shows.
Health Ministry Releases 'Micro Plan' To Track Local Transmission In Defined Geographical AreasMUMBAI, 25 MARCH 2020: In an attempt to expand contact tracing and increase the surveillance in finding possible cases of Covid -19 individuals, the health ministry has released a 'mico plan' that would track local transmission in specific geographic areas.
No ‘Indiscriminate Testing’, Breaking Chain Is Key, Says GovtNEW DELHI, 23 MARCH 2020: After expanding its testing policy to all hospitalised patients with pneumonia or severe flu symptoms, the government said its strategy remained adequate and there was no need for “indiscriminate testing” as isolation and breaking the chain of transmission were the key to containing the spread of Covid-19 in India.
80% People Will Experience Cold-Like Fever, Recover On Their Own, Says ICMR DGNEW DELHI, 22 MARCH 2020: About 80 per cent of the people infected with coronavirus will experience just cold-like fever and they will recover on their own, said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director-general Balram Bhargava on Sunday.
Cabinet Passes A Policy To Promote Manufacture And Growth Of Bulk Drugs And Medical Devicesew Delhi, 21 March 2020: The Union Cabinet on Friday passed a policy to promote the manufacture and growth of bulk drugs, sources said. The government is working on creating an ecosystem that would boost local manufacturing and reduce dependence on China for raw materials. A policy on medical devices, too, is on the anvil.
Pharma Injections
Single-Use Masks, Gloves Pose Risk To Sanitation StaffNew Delhi, 24 March 2020: With a large chunk of the city’s population now using and discarding single-use face masks and gloves, especially those under home quarantine, the municipal bodies are facing a waste management challenge. The daily garbage collectors and ragpickers are being exposed to bio-medical hazards, jeopardising Delhi’s Covid-19 containment strategy.
B’luru Scientist’s Covid-19 Device To Be Tested In US, MexicoBengaluru, 24 March 2020: A device designed by a scientist in Bengaluru has the potential to contain the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid-19, and it will be soon tested for efficacy in the US and Mexico.
Streamline Supply Chain Of Body Coveralls, N-95 Masks, And 2-Ply/3-Ply Surgical Masks New Delhi, 23 March 2020: It is unfortunate that certain sections of the media are spreading misinformation on the efforts of the Government in augmenting the supplies of Body Coveralls, N-95 Masks, and 2-ply/3-ply Surgical Masks required for healthcare professionals dealing COVID-19 cases. Since Body Coveralls (PPE) is a specialized protective suit meant for high level of protection to the health professionals, it has stringent technical requirements as prescribed by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Gujarat: Stern Action Against Medicine Hoarders, Say Officials AHMEDABAD, 23 MARCH 2020: The state food and drugs control authority has issued a stern warning against those hoarding hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, which viral social media messages claim are prophylactic (preventive) drugs against COVID-19. On Sunday, food and drugs commissioner H G Koshia asserted that these drugs cannot be sold without a prescription as they are Schedule H drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. "Stern action will be taken against any pharmacist or customers who try to hoard these medicines," Koshia said on Sunday.
Patients With Respiratory Illness In Hospitals Will Also Be Tested, Says ICMR New Delhi, 21 March 2020: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revised its testing strategy to contain the spread of COVID-19. Testing is now offered to all hospitalised patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (fever and cough and/or shortness of breath). Also, asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case should be tested once between day 5 and day 14 of coming into his/her contact.
These 5 Anti-Viral Drugs And Therapies Could Help Treat COVID-19 New Delhi, 20 March 2020: With the novel coronavirus going from ‘regional crisis’ to ‘pandemic’ status, researchers and pharmaceutical giants are scrambling to find a cure.
Drug Dopes
Mumbai Police Bust Black Market Racket, Seize 25 Lakh MasksMumbai, 24 March 2020: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Tuesday said 25 lakh masks including the N-95 variety worth over Rs 15 crore were seized in a crackdown on black marketing during the coronavirus pandemic. Four people were arrested in the police operations. 
Fake Sanitiser Unit Unearthed In FaridabadFaridabad, 21 March 2020: The district drugs control authorities recovered a large quantity of fake sanitisers allegedly being made in a factory operated from a residential colony here on Saturday. A complaint has been lodged with the police for legal action in this connection.
Two Held As B'luru Police Unearth Manufacture Of Fake Sanitisers Bengaluru, 20 March 2020 : City police on Friday unearthed two fake hand sanitizer manufacturing rackets, arrested two persons, and seized 8,500 bottles filled with spurious sanitisers with a market value of Rs 56 lakh, an official said on Friday.
Ecstasy Drug Sent From France Seized In Chennai CHENNAI, 20 MARCH 2020: Customs officials at Chennai airport have seized a consignment of MDMA, aka Ecstasy drug, which was couriered to Chennai. The drug was marked to an address in a slum tenement at Arumbakkam which was demolished around 10 years ago, customs officials said.
DRI Seizes 483 Kg Of Ephedrine, Arrests Three Persons Mumbai, 19 Mar 2020 : The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Thursday seized 483 kg of the drug ephedrine and arrested three persons from whom Rs 89 lakh in cash was recovered, an official said. The drug was manufactured in the premises of a chemical firm situated at Tarapur MIDC in adjoining Palghar district, he said.
Fake Hand Sanitiser Racket Busted In Hyderabad After 1 Lakh Bottles Sold For Rs 1.4 CroreHyderabad, 18 March 2020: A fake hand sanitiser manufacturing unit was busted on the outskirts of Hyderabad as police and drug inspectors seized batches of these fake products.
National Injections
14 Firms Get Test License To Evaluate COVID-19 Tests Kits New Delhi, 20 Mar 2020 : Fourteen private companies including Swiss firm Roche Diagnostics India have been given test license by the drug regulator DCGI for evaluation of the quality of COVID-19 testing kits, a CDSCO official said.
Fake News, That Other PandemicNew Delhi, 19 March 2020: While the world is trying to get to grips with coronavirus (Covid-19), social media is rife with all sorts of posts, ranging from information about the disease's outbreak to false news about its origin and spread, not to mention offering untested 'treatment'. These misleading posts are further amplified when picked up by gratuitous sections of mass media.
Proposed: Rs 3k-Crore Fund To Set Up API Units New Delhi, 20 March 2020: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has proposed the creation of Rs 3,000 crore corpus for companies to set up fermentation or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) units to boost domestic manufacturing in India to counter dwindling Chinese supply because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Govt Bans Export Of Face Masks, Ventilators NEW DELHI, 20 MARCH 2020: The government has banned the export of surgical face masks, the textile material that goes into making the masks and covers along with ventilators and respirators as it seeks to ensure adequate supply of the critical materials at a time when the coronavirus count is rising in the country.
Roche Diagnostics India First Private Firm To Get COVID-19 Test Approval New Delhi, 18 March 2020: Roche Diagnostics India has received the license from the country's drug regulator DCGI for its 'cobas SARS CoV-2' diagnostic test kit, making it the first private firm to get permission to conduct coronavirus tests.
Fix Prices Of Sanitizers, Masks, HC Tells Govt. Kochi, 18 March 2020: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to publish a notification fixing maximum retail prices of face masks and hand sanitizers forthwith.
Global Injections
Scientists Identify 69 Drugs To Test Against The CoronavirusNEW YORK, 24 MARCH 2020: Nearly 70 drugs and experimental compounds may be effective in treating the coronavirus, a team of researchers reported Sunday night. Some of the medications are already used to treat other diseases, and repurposing them to treat Covid-19 may be faster than trying to invent a new anti-viral from scratch, the scientists said.
US FDA Approves First Rapid Coronavirus Test With 45 Minutes Detection TimeWashington, 23 March 2020: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first rapid coronavirus diagnostic test, with a detection time of about 45 minutes, as the United States struggles to meet the demand for coronavirus testing.
Is Ibuprofen Really Risky For Coronavirus Patients?
New York, 17 March 2020: The health minister of France, Olivier Véran, has issued a blunt warning about painkillers taken by people ill with the coronavirus: Stay away from drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin.
Japanese Anti-Flu Medicine Favipiravir Effective In COVID-19: China
Tokyo, 19 March 2020: Medical experts in China have claimed that a new flu drug is 'clearly effective' in treating the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
2 Major Pharma Companies Announce To Co-Develop Potential COVID 19 Vaccine
Washington, 18 March 2020: Two major pharma companies - Pfizer from the US and BioNTech from Germany - on Tuesday announced to join hands to co-develop and distribute a potential coronavirus vaccine aimed at preventing COVID-19 infection.
US Regulators Approve Roche's New And Faster COVID-19 Test
Zurich, 13 March 2020: Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche announced Friday it had received emergency approval from US regulators for a new and much faster test for diagnosing the deadly new coronavirus.
PSM PILL
DEA Warns That Counterfeit Pills And Fentanyl Continue To Threaten Americans
March 12, 2020: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released its 2019 National Drug Threat Assessment, which is an annual report that synthesizes information from law enforcement agencies across the country to inform policies, establish priorities, and allocate resources. With agents scattered across the nation and in nearly 70 other countries, the DEA has a comprehensive understanding of the threats posed to the U.S. by domestic and international drug trafficking and the abuse of licit and illicit drugs.
After Four Prosecutions Over 16 Years, L.A. City Attorney Forces Fake Pharmacies To Close For Good
March 10, 2020 : Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer has announced a permanent injunction to shut down four fake pharmacies. Over the last 16 years, their proprietors, the Dominguez family, received multiple citations and made several admissions of guilt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Govt Invoke Disaster Management Act For Surgical And Protective Mask, Hand Sanitizer And Gloves
New Delhi, 13 March 2020: In cognizance of reports regarding non-availability and black marketing of Surgical and protective masks, Hand sanitizers and Gloves and as a measure of preparedness to address the challenge of outbreak of COVID-19, NPPA requested to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to notify the above mentioned items as drugs with immediate effect to enable NPPA to regulate the availability and prices of the Surgical and protective masks, Hand sanitizers and Gloves in public interest.. Read More>>>
SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM
NPPA, Regularly Monitoring The Situations Of Prices And Availability Of Essentials Medicines
New Delhi, 17 March 2020: The Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri. D.V. Sadananda Gowda informed the Lok Sabha in written reply today that NPPA is monitoring the situation regularly to ensure that ceiling prices of essential medicines are not breached and are available uninterruptedly. The Minister further informed that National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has not received any reference regarding sudden increase in the price of paracetamol by 40 per cent and azithromycin by 70 per cent in the country. The All Indian Origin Chemists & Distributors Ltd. - Advanced Working, Action & Correction System (AIOCD AWACS) has reported increase in drug prices for month ending February, 2020 at 0.6 %.
Blog Addicts
Prof. Hemu Saraswat, Professional Excellent articles being published every edition. Very enjoyable.
Ms Bhavini Singh, MDIndeed a pleasure to receive the newsletter and read it. Well done.
Ms (Dr.) Niloufer Ramadoss, MBBS
Presented very beautifully and aptly captures important developments in the Pharma space.
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