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EDITOR'S EMULSION
Warm Greetings!!!
Welcome to yet another most pleasant Reading of our newsletter.
It is always my privilege to reach you on 1st & 17th of every month, since the last 11 years. Please do not hesitate to share your comments on this edition to enable us to constantly improve. 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
Review and update health-related national policies and plan to be primary health care oriented. Increase and improve financing for primary health care. Implement governance reforms and enable multi-sectoral convergence, especially for action on social determinants of health. Promote availability and affordability of quality essential medical products for primary health care. #HealthForAll
Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh
Regional Director, WHO South East Asia
Sponsor
Patient Safety Capsules
Panel asks CDSCO to create awareness among people about availability of grievance redressal mechanism
New Delhi, March 26, 2022: The Department Related Standing Committee (DRSC) on chemicals and fertilisers has recommended that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and NPPA should take appropriate steps for stepping up of awareness among the people about the availability of complaint or grievance redressal mechanism to ensure that the overprice/hoarding/black marketing of Covid-19 medicines and medical devices should be brought to limelight.
Experts suggest Ayurveda provides best and effective treatments for autoimmune diseases
Hyderabad, March 30, 2022: Ayurvedic experts from Hyderabad have suggested that Ayurveda and various other Indian systems of medicines can provide best and effective treatment options for countering autoimmune diseases among the people.
Drug Laws & Policy Injections
DoP should cover all medical devices critical for Covid-19 treatment under NLEM: Parliamentary PanelNew Delhi, March 28, 2022: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) should cover all the medical devices critical to Covid-19 treatment like ventilators, oxygen concentrators etc., under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) for effective price control, says a Parliamentary Panel which suggested various measures to ensure availability of medicines and medical devices for Covid-19 management. 
IPC alerts healthcare professionals about cephalosporins induced fixed drug eruption Mumbai, March 28, 2022: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), which is the National Coordination Centre (NCC) for Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), has flagged drug safety alert revealing that beta-lactam antimicrobials, cephalosporins are associated with adverse event known as fixed drug eruption.
DRSC recommends DoP to frame new price control regime for Covid-19 medicines and medical devicesNew Delhi, March 25, 2022: The Department Related Standing Committee (DRSC) on Chemicals and Fertilisers has recommended the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to frame a new price control regime specific for medicines and medical devices for Covid-19..
The civil society asks PM to reject WTO agreementNew Delhi, March 17, 2022: Civil society groups wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, arguing the seriousness of fighting Covid using the simplifications of the global economic agreement, and demanding India rejects the proposed statement and opposes the “unreasonable demands of the EU and US”.
Govt considering COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for those travelling overseas for education, jobs, official & biz workNew Delhi, March 26, 2022: The government may soon allow a precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine for those seeking to travel abroad for education, employment, sports and for attending official or business commitments, official sources said on Saturday. Discussions are also underway on whether overseas-bound travellers opting for booster dose should receive the shot at private vaccination centres and pay for it, they said.
Delhi High Court issues interim order in favour of Novartis on cardiovascular drug patent suitNew Delhi, March 31, 2022: A Single Bench of Delhi High Court has issued an interim order restraining various Indian manufacturers from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale any pharma preparations infringing the patent of Novartis’ cardiovascular drug marketed as Vymada in India.
Pharma Injections
Indian home healthcare sector needs regulatory & governance impetus for better growth: Nathealth studyNew Delhi, March 31, 2022: The Indian home healthcare sector, a $5.4 billion market at present, would require regulatory and governance measures such as a national home care licensing standards and regulatory authority, 
DBT gears up to accelerate development of effective & non-addictive pain therapiesMumbai, March 31, 2022: With an aim to meet unmet need of pain management in the country, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the ministry of science and technology has geared up to map the expertise available in the country in this area and build up a programme on ‘Chronic Pain Biology’ for gaining deeper insight
NPPA expert panel recommends retail price for generic sitagliptin combinations New Delhi, March 28, 2022: In a move which may increase the price war in the over $2.3 billion anti-diabetic drugs market in the country, the expert panel for National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has recommended price fixation against 10 applications for various strengths of fixed dose combinations (FDCs) of anti-diabetic drug sitagliptin and metformin.
Covid-19 vaccine makers refuse to disclose data on ‘adverse events’ March 23, 2022: Refusing to disclose their vaccination data, including adverse events following immunisation against Covid-19, vaccine makers Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India (SII) on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that such motivated pleas are an “attempt to cause vaccine hesitancy and public hysteria in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic.”
IIT Kanpur ties up with CII to set up risk surveillance centre for Covid-19 & other infectious diseases March 16, 2022: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur have collaborated to launch IIT Kanpur – CII Risk Surveillance Centre to monitor and control the spread of Covid-19 and other such infections in the future.
An expert dispels all myths connected with immunity and immunity boosters March 24, 2022: We have been inundated with immunity boosting pills, supplements and foods these past few years. What part do these play in actually boosting immunity and how much is genetically driven?
Drug Dopes
Addressing pandemic impact on children with special educational needs must be a priority in IndiaMarch 28, 2022: With the pandemic lasting about two years and everyone adjusting to the “new normal”, many institutions expe-rienced severe barriers and have been unable to provide the same quality of output and experience as in pre-pandemic times. A lot has been written about the pandemic and the impact of lockdowns on different sectors, one of the most important being schools and education. The learning process and developmental years have been adversely affected for countless children, as homes cannot provide a similarly stimulating learning environment and focus. 
Long Covid symptoms six times more common in severe cases, varies depending on variants: StudyMarch 28, 2022: As health experts get a grip on controlling immediate symptoms from Covid-19 through all kinds of variants, re-searchers are trying to understand a post-pandemic world, how long Covid symptoms will affect the infected in the future. The study that will be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2022) in Lisbon next month has found that different variants may give rise to different symptoms.
Indian exporters gear up to supply medicinal products to war-torn Ukraine Mumbai, March 30, 2022: Indian drug exporters have geared up to supply pharmaceutical products to war-torn Ukraine following the latter’s appeal. The Russian Federation initiated a full-scale military invasion in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The missile strikes along with large battles in Ukrainian cities has led to growing need for the medicines, medical devices, first-aid kits and other relevant goods in Ukraine.
Nutra Regulations 2022 to spur pharma industry to research & manufacture sports nutrition products Bengaluru, April 1, 2022: The Union government’s latest guidance on nutraceuticals, health supplements, special dietary and medical purports along with pre and probiotics is expected to spur pharma industry to research & manufacture sports nutrition and medicine products.
Clinicians call for timely diagnosis and patient comfort during radiology interventions Bengaluru, March 31, 2022: Clinicians are insisting for timely diagnosis and patient comfort during radiology interventions. This is because the best clinical outcome for a patient rests upon an accurate and appropriate diagnosis.
PGWA to expand activities throughout country to take up issues facing pharmacy professionChennai, April 1, 2022: The Pharmacy Graduates Welfare Association (PGWA), an organisation of graduate pharmacists working under the Delhi government, is now chalking out an organizational expansion programme to carry out across the country in the wake of multiple issues arising in various states with respect to pharmacy profession and their welfare projects, it is learnt.
National Injections
Bihar DCA soon to launch statewide inspection to weed out ‘fake pharmacists’ from medical shops Patna, March 30, 2022: In the wake of increased allegations about unqualified dispensers in medical shops, the Bihar state drugs control administration is planning to launch a statewide inspection process to weed out ‘fake pharmacists’ from the pharmaceutical retail sector and to ensure that the drugs are passing through qualified hands only.
Delhi High Court issues interim order in favour of Novartis on cardiovascular drug patent suitNew Delhi, March 31, 2022: A Single Bench of Delhi High Court has issued an interim order restraining various Indian manufacturers from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale any pharma preparations infringing the patent of Novartis’ cardiovascular drug marketed as Vymada in India. The Court has also directed Eris Lifesciences to deposit a sum of Rs, 5 crore for allegedly marketing the drug after a Court’s restraining order on December 21, 2022.
TS govt to fill 442 pharmacists, 18 drug inspectors and 15 junior analysts posts across Telangana Hyderabad, March 28, 2022: The Telangana state government has decided to fill vacant posts of 442 pharmacists, 18 drug inspectors and 15 junior analysts’ posts in healthcare, drug control and other related departments in the state. To this effect, the state finance ministry has sanctioned its approval for all the posts and is soon going to release a formal notification allowing the qualified professionals to apply for the posts.
Bihar IPA seeks CM’s intervention to direct health dept to conduct BSPC election before appointing new registrar Patna, March 29, 2022: The Bihar state branch of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (Bihar IPA) has written to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that the state health department’s circular to the Bihar State Pharmacy Council (BSPC) to appoint one new registrar in place of the present officer is an act of unethical and unprincipled one by the bureaucracy, so it should be withdrawn immediately.
DDMA decides to do away with fine for not wearing face masks at public places: Sources New Delhi, March 31, 2022: The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) decided on Thursday that there will be no fine for not wearing face masks at public places in the national capital, official sources said.
Addressing pandemic impact on children with special educational needs must be a priority in India March 28, 2022: With the pandemic lasting about two years and everyone adjusting to the “new normal”, many institutions experienced severe barriers and have been unable to provide the same quality of output and experience as in pre-pandemic times. A lot has been written about the pandemic and the impact of lockdowns on different sectors, one of the most important being schools and education.
Global Injections
Matching drugs to DNA is 'new era of medicine'March 30, 2022: Some drugs are completely ineffective or become deadly because of subtle differences in how our bodies function. The British Pharmacological Society and the Royal College of Physicians say a genetic test can predict how well drugs work in your body.
Novavax, hoping to bump up its lagging European launch, asks EMA to authorize its COVID shot in teenagersMarch 31, 2022: The European Commission, which finalizes all drug approvals and authorizations in Europe, gave its stamp for Nuvaxovid in adults aged 18 and older in December last year.
Feds probe ring of counterfeit HIV meds targeting Gilead, GSK and J&J: report
March 31, 2022: In January, when Gilead revealed that it had seized counterfeit versions of its HIV drugs and fake supply chain documentation through raids at 17 locations in eight states, a key question emerged: Where was the U.S. government?
Ivermectin Doesn’t Help Treat COVID-19: Study
March 31, 2022: Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug that became popular as an alternative treatment for COVID-19, showed no signs of quelling the disease or reducing patients’ risk of hospitalization, according to results from a large clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
FDA Advisory Panel Rejects New ALS Drug
March 31, 2022: A panel of experts that advises the FDA narrowly voted to reject a new drug intended to treat ALS. Six of 10 members of the FDA Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee de-cided there's not enough evidence to support approval of the drug from Amylyx Pharmaceuticals . The evidence from a single trial is insufficient, the panel said.
Indigenous COVID-19 Patients Have Higher Death Rates
March 31, 2022: American Indian and Alaska Native populations admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 have experienced higher death rates than Black and white patients, according to a study published Wednesday by JAMA Network Open.
PSAIIF PILL
NMC restores percentage of non-medical teachers as per old MCI norms
Mumbai, April 1, 2022: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has restored previous Medical Council of India’s norms regarding the percentage of the 'non-medical' teachers in medical colleges following the Union health and family welfare ministry’s order. This has brought cheers to non-medical teachers with medical MSc/PhD qualifications.
First of its kind facility for biomedical research soon to be inaugurated in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, April 1, 2022: The National Animal Resource Facility (NARFBR), the first of its kind facility for biomedical research in the country, which has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 400 crore will be inaugurated in Hyderabad on April 2, 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Tiny Organs Grown In Lab Produce Real Snake Venom ?
Scientists in London have created small organs in the laboratory which can be used to mass produce natural snake venom. In the study published in the journal Cell, the researchers described how they created organoids of the venom glands of the Cape coral snake, which is endemic to parts of southern Africa. If the method could be commercialised, it would be much more efficient than the way venom is currently produced — by raising snakes on farms and milking their glands, the researchers said.
SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM
Lack of Sleep May Lead to Unhealthy Belly Fat: Study
March 31, 2022: If you’re not getting enough sleep, you may be at higher risk for having more unhealthy belly fat, a new study suggests. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic studied 12 healthy people in the hospital for a few weeks to control how much sleep they got and closely monitor how much they ate and the energy they exerted. The people in the study were not obese, and they ranged in age from 19 to 39.
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Blog Addicts
Dr. Harish Tripathi, MBBS "The Prescription" helps give me my monthly dose of current pharma news which I eagerly look forward to in order to keep myself abreast as a more aware reader. Keep up the good work..
Ms Susheela Singh, ProfessionalWant to commend the PSAA India publication team for all the good work they do in bringing out this bi-monthly newsletter. Well done.
Mr Ramamurthy Iyer, Pharma Expert
Very beautifully and aptly captures important news in the Pharma domain. Excellent work.
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