The Prescription: Partnership For Safe Medicines India

The Prescription: 1st January 2017 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

Festive Greetings!

PSM-India wishes all its readers a very Happy, Prosperous and Healthy 2017!

PSM-India is constantly and tirelessly helping patients and promoting patients’ awareness to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure good health and well-being for all at all ages. We take this opportunity in thanking our readers for their continued support towards our cause and look forward to creating an impact together this year as well.

National Injections has nerve-racking articles on the Indian healthcare system as World Malaria Report says, India is among the countries worst-affected and the incidence of chikungunya in Mumbai has touched a five-year high this year. Cobra venom can help surgeons spot cancer tumours and experts claim that Indians are more likely to face premature death due to stroke, heart attack are some of the featuring articles to look up in Pharma Injections.

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

"Call PSM India toll free helpline 1800 - 11- 4424, to bring cases of spurious medicines or any kind of adverse drug reaction to the notice of the authorities.
Please visit our website jagograhakjago.com if you wish to learn about us .
To register a complaint kindly visit our consumer redressal website www.jagograhakjago.com
Happy Reading !
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy !

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

DOSE OF THE DAY

“Referring to the World Health Organization’s recent decision to drop the term “counterfeit” and use “falsified” instead to describe medicines of inferior quality, Mr. Nadda said he was “happy” that the WHO member-states arrived at a consensus on doing so as the word “counterfeit” usually referred to intellectual property rights violations.”

Mr. J P Nadda
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

PSM India Capsules

Falsified Medicines in India

Every country is the victim of falsified and substandard drugs, which result in life threatening issues, fiscal loss to consumer and manufacturer and loss in trust on the healthcare system. Poor quality drug or substandard product encounters a severe issue for the Indian healthcare system and it cannot be ignored. Each year, around 100,000 people lose their lives either because they’re poisoned by inappropriate ingredients in falsified drugs or because the falsified drug doesn’t help to recover their illness. Limited access to the drug store, medical care, effective treatments, and the common practice of self-medication are the main drivers of the availability of falsified and substandard drugs across the country.

Drug Laws & Policy Injections

PvPI recommends CDSCO to initiate action against 24 drugs for showing ADRs Mumbai, December 2016: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), which is the National Coordination Centre for the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), has recommended to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for regulatory actions against 24 drugs which have been found to show adverse drug reactions (ADRs). According to sources, the India specific drug safety signals, drug alerts and others have been identified from the reported ADRs by the Signal Review Panel (SRP) of the PvPI and has recommended to the CDSCO for the appropriate regulatory actions against the list of 24 suspected drugs.

Substandard drugs: Recall system in the works New Delhi, Dec 2016: The government is going to amend the Drug and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, in order to create an effective recall system for the drugs that are found to be substandard by any drug regulator in the country. According to a senior government official, the revised rules may make it mandatory for the pharma companies to voluntarily recall any such drug, which is found to be substandard, from the supply chain in the market. At present, neither there is a nation-wide drug recall system in the country nor are there any rules mandating the companies to withdraw 'substandard' drug batches from the market.

NPPA to embark study on 'Impact analysis of price regulation of essential drugs'Mumbai, Dec 2016: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will soon embark on a research study on 'Impact analysis of price regulation in India in the context of affordability, accessibility and availability of essential medicines since 1995'. The scope of the study will include impact assessment of price control since the implementation of DPCO, 1995 to be studied keeping in mind the overall objectives of Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) and the NPPA, that is ensuring the affordability, the accessibility and the availability of essential medicines (August 1996 to August 2016).

PvPI sends advisory on drug package inserts based on India specific risk to CDSCOMumbai, Dec 2016: Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) has identified 30 India specific drug alerts and have sent 17 recommendations to change or update package inserts based on India specific risk associated with drug usage to the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO). Besides this, PvPI has also identified 4 India specific signals and sent the same to CDSCO for further action.

Drug sales to be strictly monitored, purchase only against prescriptionCoimbatore, December, 2016: To buy even one paracetamol tablet or a bottle of cough syrup from any pharmacy in the district a doctor's prescription will be a mandatory requirement. Every pharmacy will have to mention the reference doctor's name next to every bill in its bill book. This move comes after increasing reports of paracetamol and antibiotic abuse by people who often go for self-medication. Pharmacies found flouting the rule will lose their license.

Pharma Injections

Cobra venom can help surgeons spot cancer tumoursDec, 2016: Nothing -till a team of Russian and Indian scientists put their heads to it and developed an innovative technique to take sharp images of cancer growths. Researchers from Tezpur University, Assam working with the National University of Science and Technology MISIS (NUST MISIS), Moscow combined highly poisonous chemicals called alphaneurotoxins found in cobra venom with fluorescent nanoparticles of cadmium selenide known as quantum dots. The new substance was found to effectively mark the boundaries of cancer growths.

63 percent Indians not aware that diabetes can spoil retina tooMumbai, Dec 2016: As many as 63 percent of the Indians are not aware that diabetes affects the retina too apart from other body parts, revealed a survey on Tuesday. "It was found that 63 per cent tested positive for diabetes were not aware that the disease affects the retina too. As many as 92 per cent diabetics sought a retinal examination only when their vision got affected," said the survey.

Indians more likely to face premature death due to stroke, heart attack New Delhi, Dec 2016: As per an alarming study which raises concern among people, experts claim that Indian are more likely to face premature death due to heart ailments and stroke. Several studies have indicated that Indians are more likely to be affected by this problem at an earlier age as compared to Westerners, said Dinesh Babu, consultant of cardiovascular disease at Medeor Hospital Abu Dhabi in UAE.

Uplift research to fight HIV, Malaria and TB: BRICS New Delhi, Dec 2016: BRICS nations today said that it's essential to boost research work in order to fight diseases like HIV, Malaria and TB. They also realised that to boost information and technology in health services in order to promote cost-effective treatment. During the sixth two-day BRICS Health Ministers' meet that concluded today, they adopted the Delhi Communique as part of which member-nations agreed to a TB cooperation plan, a BRICS network on TB research and developing an R&D consortium on TB, HIV and Malaria.

Brain tumour patient cured using special technique New Delhi, Dec 2016: A 35-year-old having a large brain tumour, that caused speech impediment, was cured using a special medical technique at a city hospital here, doctors said on Tuesday. Rahul, an epileptic, started suffering from headaches and often experienced hampering of speech. Though on several visits to hospitals, a brain tumour was clearly diagnosed, the doctors only gave him the option of open skull surgery, which Rahul did not want to undergo.

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

FDA Approves Rubraca Dec 2016: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted accelerated approval to Rubraca (rucaparib) to treat women with a certain type of ovarian cancer. Rubraca is approved for women with advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies and whose tumors have a specific gene mutation (deleterious BRCA) as identified by an FDA-approved companion diagnostic test.

OTC violation: Licenses of 15 medical stores to be cancelled Dehradun, DECEMBER 2016: Selling Schedule H prescription drugs has proved to be costly for medical stores in Dehradun, Uttarakahand, as the above mentioned drugs cannot be sold over the counter (OTC) without special license. The state drug department is set to cancel the licenses of as many as 15 drug stores.

Fake antibiotics worth Rs 51 lakh seized AHMEDABAD, Dec 2016: The tablet you just popped from an antibiotic blister pack may just be starch chewables. This is what Gujarat's food and drugs department (FDD) found when its vigilance team raided two wholesalers in Shahibaug and Sarkhej areas.

BSF seizes 900 bottles of cough syrup in West Bengal's Malda Malda, Dec 2016: The Border Security Force have seized 900 bottles of Phensedyl syrup and tortoise shells weighing around ten kg from the Indo-Bangla border in Malda district, the paramilitary force said on Wednesday.

Prices of 50 essential drugs slashed by up to 44 percent NEW DELHI, DEC 2016: Prices of over 50 essential drugs including those used for treatment of HIV infection, diabetes, anxiety disorders, bacterial infections, angina and acid reflux have been capped by the government, leading to a price cut in the range of 5 per cent to 44 per cent.

National Injections

War against malaria far from over NEW DELHI DECEMBER, 2016: WHO records 212 million new cases in 2015; India among countries worst-affected
The global fight against malaria is in “urgent need” of more funding, said the World Health Organization (WHO) while releasing the latest World Malaria Report.

Chikungunya cases in Mumbai touch 5 year high Mumbai, Dec, 2016: It's Just the Tip of Iceberg, say Doctors. The incidence of chikungunya in Mumbai has touched a five-year high this year with 60 confirmed cases being reported so far.

34 percent medical equipment across country dysfunctional New Delhi, Dec 2016: A massive exercise to map the inventory of all bio-medical equipment, including their functionality status, has revealed that 13-34 per cent of equipment across the country was dysfunctional across states, an official said on Monday.

5 private hospitals on radar after complaints about medical negligence, inflated bills New Delhi, December, 2016: When Ramjeet Rathore was rushed to a premier private hospital after suffering injuries in a road accident, he expected first-class care. What he got instead, he claims, were apathy and a mammoth bill. Ramjeet's complaint is one among dozens that the Delhi Medical Council is examining with the city's top five private hospitals also under the scanner.

45 year old woman loses life after being administered wrong blood group during transfusion Keonjhar (Odisha), Dec 2016: A Government run hospital at Keonjhar in Odisha is under fire after a woman was allegedly administered the wrong blood group during a transfusion process, which proved fatal. The incident triggered tension in the area and also resulted in the dismissal of two employees.

650 gm tumour removed from abdomen of three year old NOIDA, DECEMBER 2016: Doctors at the Super Speciality Child Hospital and Post Graduate Institute, Noida, UP, came as life savers for three-year-old Ram Avtar as they removed a 650 gram tumour from his liver, that to without too much bleeding.

Global Injections

First functional biological pacemaker developed Dec, 2016: Scientists have developed the first functional pacemaker cells from human stem cells which can regulate heart beats with electrical impulses, paving the way for an alternate, biological pacemaker therapy.

World's first Chikungunya vaccine developed Dec, 2016: US researchers have developed a vaccine for chikungunya fever made from an insect-specific virus that does not have any effect on people, making the vaccine safe and effective.

New Blood Test May Improve Treatment For Ovarian Cancer Patients

LONDON, December, 2016: Scientists have developed a simple blood test that can predict how ovarian cancer patients are likely to respond to chemotherapy treatment.

Zika linked birth defects more severe than thoughtLOS ANGELES: DECEMBER, 2016: Zika-linked abnormalities that occur in human foetuses are more extensive and severe than previously thought, according to scientists who found that microcephaly is not the most common congenital defect caused by the infection.

Laser therapy with deep sea drug kills prostate cancer cellsDecember 2016: A non-surgical treatment for lowrisk prostate cancer, in which doctors inject a light-sensitive drug derived from deep-sea bacteria into a patient's bloodstream, was shown in a trial to kill cancer cells without destroying healthy tissue.

PSM PILL

2 Florida medical executives indicted for selling misbranded gastric banding kits

Defendants allegedly purchased expired or close-to-expired gastric lap-band surgery kits on the Internet, disguised them as new, and then re-sold them to local physicians. Florida residents Peter Kakfa and Gregory Grimm are being accused of running an expired/misbranded gastric bypass banding system scam via their employer Apollo Endosurgery, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reports.

PUERTO RICO woman arrested for posing as nurse, injecting clients with industrial grade silicone

Authorities in San Juan are making a public appeal to find more victims of “Rosa from Venezuela.” A federal court in San Juan, Puerto Rico has brought charges of injecting adulterated products into at least 2 different women against Rosa Betancourt-Farfán, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports. Betancourt-Farfán is alleged to have posed as a nurse and offered her body augmentation services for $1,200.

Frequently Asked Questions Q1. What is Dyspnea?
Few sensations are as frightening as not being able to get enough air. Sudden and severe shortness of breath - known medically as dyspnea - is often described as an intense tightening in the chest, air hunger or a feeling of suffocation.
Very strenuous exercise, extreme temperatures, massive obesity and high altitude all can cause shortness of breath in a healthy person. Outside of these examples, shortness of breath is likely a sign of a medical problem. If you have unexplained shortness of breath, especially if it comes on suddenly and is severe, see your doctor as soon as possible.Read More>>>

SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM

Super Foods for New Mothers that Improve Breast Milk Supply

Article contributed by one of our Subscriber: Dr. Sonam Gupta, Gynecologist, New Delhi

The WHO, UNICEF, WABA and MAA initiative by the Indian Ministry all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and then complemented breastfeeding for at least one year and up to two years or more. Breastfeeding provides many health benefits for the newborn from providing critical nutrients to protection from deadly diseases and fostering their growth and development.

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Blog Addicts

Dr. Rakesh Bhatt, MD, Tweets: Thank You @PSM-India! For delivering fortnightly email packed with the latest medical news, research and surveys, featured opinions and so on.

Ms. Saroj Sinha, Social Activist, says:Great Applause to PSM-India! For creating consciousness about the falsified medicines across the country.

Ms. Sudha, Medical Student, says: Wishing all the very best to PSM-India! For their consistent effort in making India a healthy nation.

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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.