Warm Greetings on yet another edition of The Prescription!
High risk medicines are those medicines that have a high risk of causing significant patient harm or death when used in error. These medicines are available freely in the market without any caution to consumers. In a move to enhance consumer awareness and accountability of pharma companies, the health ministry has made it mandatory for high-risk medicines to carry warnings prominently on drug packs from November 1. Read more on this under PSM India Capsules.
The Government is pressing forward in launching various regulatory policies for the benefit of patients while also launching operations to crack down on illegal manufacturing and import of drugs, especially oxytocin. They are planning regulations for medical devices, amending Drug Schedules to curtail misleading ads, while reconstituting the drug technical advisory board. Catch up with all such drug laws and policies around us under Drug Laws and Policy Injections.
This issue of The Prescription highlights the root cause of the much talked about Nipah infection and the claims by Serum Institute that they can develop the vaccine to fight Nipah if the government asks them to. Read these interesting articles under Pharma and Drug Dopes section.
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Stay Healthy. Stay Protected.
Pooja Khaitan
Editor-in-Chief,
The Prescription
“The shortcomings can’t go overnight, but with this government, health has taken centre stage. It can now only get better from here.”
Dr. V.K.Paul, Professor
Member, NITI Ayog
High-Risk Drugs To Carry Warnings Prominently
In a move to enhance consumer awareness and accountability of pharma companies, the health ministry has made it mandatory for high-risk medicines to carry warnings prominently on drug packs from November 1. The new rules will be applicable to medicines such as cancer drugs, narcotics analgesics, sedatives, tranquillisers, steroids and anti-depressants which have either a high risk of side effects or are to be used strictly under medical supervision.
HHS Blueprint to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Costs
A Notice by the Health and Human Services Department on 05/16/2018
SUMMARY: Through this request for information, HHS seeks comment from interested parties to help shape future policy development and agency action.
US FDA Names And Shames Drug Makers To Encourage Generic Competition
Maryland, 17 May 2018: Pharmaceutical companies that spend billions of dollars to develop new drugs do not want competitors to profit from inexpensive generic copies of blockbuster medicines. To avoid rivals, they fight for patent extensions, seek new uses for old products and, sometimes, prevent generic drug companies from obtaining samples.
WHO Publishes Its First Essential Diagnostics List
NEW DELHI, 16 MAY 2018: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published its first 'essential diagnostics list', a catalogue of tests needed to diagnose the most common conditions as well as a number of global priority diseases.
Future directions in countering antimicrobial resistance
The fight against bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics is a crucial element of medical and microbiological research today. The phenomenon of antibiotic resistance itself is a part of the expression of the bacterial genome, and therefore can be expected to emerge in whatever situation antibiotics are used, and to increase with the number of drugs used.
1,500 Counterfeit Fentanyl Pills Netted In Ohio Bust
May 25, 2018: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced indictments against three Summit County, Ohio residents for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Partnership For Safe Medicines Urges Passage Of The STOP Act To Increase Inspections For Dangerous Synthetic Opioids
WASHINGTON (May 24, 2018) : The Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) today urged passage of the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act of 2017 (S.372), also known as the STOP Act of 2017. The STOP Act addresses the crisis of counterfeit medications made with fentanyl that has swept the nation in the past twenty four months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. If a medicine is used for more than one problem and I only have one of those problems, should I use the medicine?
Ans: It is better to find and use a medicine that treats only the problem (or symptom) you have. If you use a medicine that treats your problem plus other problems you don't have, then you may be using extra medicine you don't need. Over-the-counter medicines can help you feel better, but they can also cause unwanted side effects. Using extra medicine that you don't need to treat your problem increases the chance of unwanted side effects. It is better to choose a medicine that treats only the problem or problems you have. If you and your parent or guardian aren't sure how to choose, ask a pharmacist or a doctor for help.
Q. Why should I read the Warnings section of the Drug Fact label?
Ans: You should read the Warnings section because it explains when the medicine shouldn't be used at all and when you should check with a doctor or pharmacist before using the medicine. The Warnings also tell you how the medicine might make you feel, when you should stop using the medicine, and things you shouldn't do while using the medicine. For example, the Warnings section will tell you to avoid using a medicine if you are allergic to its active ingredient.
Q. What happens if I use too much of an OTC medicine? Can a medicine harm me if I use more than the recommended dose?
Ans: If you use too much of any medicine, tell a grown-up right away. A pharmacist or doctor can tell you and your parent or guardian if you need to get medical help right away. What happens when you use too much of an OTC medicine depends on the type of medicine and how much you used. The correct medicine dose is carefully figured out and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Using more than the recommended dose may not work better than the recommended dose and it may harm you.
Govt Planning Unique Codes To Check Menace Of Fake Medicines
Article contributed by by Prof. B.N.Srivastav, Ajmer
New Delhi, 14 May 2018: India’s highest advisory body on drugs will discuss a mechanism to end the menace of fake medicines at a meeting on 16 May. According to the proposal to be discussed at the Drug Technical Advisory Board meeting, consumers will be able to check whether the medicines that they have purchased are genuine by texting a unique code to be printed on the medicine’s package to a number, said two people aware of the matter, both of whom requested anonymity.
Mrs. Ronita Jain, Public Health Executive blogs :Loads of wishes for your good work PSM India. You have become a consistently growing public forum in our Country!
Ms. Nikita Dhami , Pharma academic Professional tweets : Dear PSM India, your aim towards tackling counterfeiting and improve patient safety is motivating and inspiring us !
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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.