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EDITOR'S EMULSION
Warm Greetings!
Welcome to yet another exciting month and a most pleasant Reading of our newsletter.
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
"There has been a paradigm shift from the disease: cure-oriented medical practices toward health-oriented health- care services where people are becoming more and more aware toward prevention of disease and salutogenesis (medical approach focusing on factors that support human health and well-being) that is making the body strong and with improved immunity so to have a healthy life. Post Covid-19. I believe this will further strengthen. Ayush has a major role to play in this as its main objective is to maintain health of the healthy and prevent the disease."
Shri Shripad Yesso Naik
Hon'ble Union Minister of State,
Ministry of Ayush
Government of India
Sponsor
Patient Safety Capsules
Immense Opportunities For Pharma, Medical Equipment And Herbal Medicine Industries In UP: Yogi Adityanath
LUCKNOW, 24 MAY 2020: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday asserted that there are immense opportunities in the field of pharmaceutical, medical equipment and herbal medicines in the state, and directed officials to prepare a policy in this regard after consulting experts within a week.
Maha AYUSH Task Force On Covid-19 To Use Ayurveda, Unani
MUMBAI, 14 MAY 2020: Soon, homeopathy, ayurveda and unani medicines will be used to improve immunity against coronavirus and also for treating asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients in Maharashtra. The state government on Wednesday passed a resolution and formed an AYUSH task force to look into the way forward using therapies prescribed by doctors of homeopathy, ayurveda and unani practitioners as there is an urgent need to control the growing number of cases.
Drug Laws & Policy Injections
It Is The Quantity Not Purity Of Narcotic Drugs That Will Decide Punishment: SCNEW DELHI, 22 APRIL 2020: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that punishment for possessing banned drug under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act would depend on the quantity of banned substance seized from the person and not on purity of the illicit drug.
India Cancels Chinese Rapid Antibody Test Kit Orders Mumbai/New Delhi, 28 April 2020: Even as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) cancelled the rapid antibody test kit order from one Chinese company and asked states to put the use of such kits on hold, industry insiders say more accurate testing methods are getting evolved and may be considered by the country soon.
Health Ministry Does A U-Turn On Plasma TherapyNew Delhi, 28 April 2020: Plasma therapy is not an approved treatment for COVID-19 and is only one of the several therapies which is being explored currently, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday, adding that the therapy is still at an experimental stage and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is currently studying its efficacy.
WHO Holds Meeting With Manufacturers, Regulatory Authorities On COVID-19 VaccinesMumbai, 29 April 2020: Gearing up for the much needed COVID-19 vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a meeting of vaccine manufacturers and national regulatory authorities from its South-East Asia Region.
BIS Retracts New Guidelines For Coveralls In PPE KitsNew Delhi, 18 April 2020: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Friday withdrew the specifications for coveralls – one of the components of the personal protective equipment (PPE) – just three days after they were released because they were found to be too stringent.
DGFT Lifts Restriction On Export Of Formulations Of ParacetamolMumbai, 17 April 2020: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has lifted restriction on export of formulation made of paracetamol and fixed dose combinations (FDCs) containing paracetamol following representation from Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) and other industry bodies.
Pharma Injections
DoP Proposes To Oversee Drug RegulatorNew Delhi, 22 May 2020: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has proposed that the oversight of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) be transferred to it, as the government plans a major overhaul of the country’s drug authority. According to media reports, concerns had been raised at the highest levels of the government over the ability of the regulatory framework to keep up with the demands of industry and scientists, triggering the move to revamp the drug authority.
Govt Panel Considers Measures To Hasten Drug Approval ProcessNEW DELHI, 22 MAY 2020: With the Covid-19 pandemic getting the Indian drug regulatory system working in a faster gear, a government panel on Friday considered all the measures taken for faster approval process and use these to overhaul the drug regulatory system, three sources in the know told Mint.
Health Ministry Asks States To Buy PPEs From The GeM Portal New Delhi, 23 May 2020: The Union Health Ministry has asked states to also directly buy Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) from the suppliers onboarded on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal in addition to the supplies of PPEs being sent by the Centre.
Committee To Reform Drug Regulatory System To Table Report In A Month New Delhi, 22 May 2020: With a view to reform the drug regulatory system, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has constituted a committee, comprising senior health officials, scientists and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry. The committee, instituted on May 11, has met on May 19 and on May 22. It is slated to submit a report on it’s findings in about a month, MoHFW sources said.
Govt Expands Hydroxychloroquine As Prophylactic For Healthcare Workers NEW DELHI, 22 MAY 2020 : After some promising results on the efficacy of prophylactic use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) against COVID-19 infection, the Central government has expanded the use of the medicine as prophylaxis to healthcare and other frontline workers deployed in non-COVID and COVID area.
‘Jugaad’ Fails To Work For Low-Cost Ventilators, Safety Concerns Deter Buyers New Delhi, 21 May 2020: ‘Jugaad’ or frugal innovation, typically emanating from India, has often come to the aid of the country for affordable solutions to pressing needs - but it has failed to make the cut to tackle Covid-19, as far as low-cost ventilators are concerned.
Drug Dopes
Govt OKs N-95 Masks Price Three Times What It PaysNEW DELHI, 25 MAY 2020: Two days after the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority issued directions threatening action on high pricing of N95 masks, it has approvingly cited a price that is more than three times the government procurement rate for the masks. 
DRI Sounds Alert Over Smuggling Of Infrared ThermometersNEW DELHI, 22 MAY 2020: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has sounded an alert to different customs formations across the country to check smuggling of infrared thermometers into the country from China, officials said on Friday.
Untested Homeopathy Drug For COVID-19 Widely Distributed In Mumbai Mumbai, 22 May 2020: A corporator from Borivali, Riddhi Khursange, has distributed 10,000 bottles of Arsenicum Album 30, the homoeopathy medicine that was recommended by Ministry of AYUSH as a prophylactic for COVID-19. Another corporator from Ghatkopar, Pravin Chheda, has bought 25,000 bottles and has distributed over 7,100 in the past four days.
Only 6% Cases Need Hospitalisation: Govt New Delhi, 21 May 2020: Just about 6.39% of active coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in India need hospitalisation, according to the latest government data that indicates the outbreak has not been as severe in the country as in certain other countries. Only 0.45% of Covid-19 patients in India need ventilator support currently, compared to the estimated 2-3% globally.
Machines Used For Testing Drug-Resistant TB Can Be Now Used For Confirmation Of COVID-19 Cases New Delhi, 20 May 2020: Diagnostic machines used for testing drug-resistant tuberculosis can now be used for screening and confirmation of COVID-19 cases, the apex health research body, ICMR, said. As part of its efforts to ramp up the testing capacity, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had approved the use of TrueNat system for conducting coronavirus tests on April 10, while recommending it only as a screening test.
Industry Seeks Clarity In Regulations For Sale Of Hand SanitisersMumbai, 20 May 2020: Several ambiguities in the rules for the sale of hand sanitisers in the country have been noticed by the industry stakeholders and the authorities in the country.
National Injections
IIT Researchers Develop Ways To Prevent Memory Loss Due To Alzheimer’s Disease New Delhi, 20 May 2020: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, claimed to have developed ways to prevent or reduce short-term memory losses associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Novel Food Manufacturer Or Importer Needs Prior Approval As Per NSF Regulations Before Taking License: FSSAIMumbai, 18 May 2020: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has clarified that under Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016, there are no specific restrictions for combining ingredients.
NPPA Asks N95 Mask Manufacturers, Importers And Suppliers To Maintain Parity In Prices Mumbai, 21 May 2020: Instead of capping price of N95 masks that are most required by healthcare professionals who are frontline fighters in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has asked makers, importers and suppliers of these masks to maintain parity in prices for all buyers.
Govt Moves To Ban 27 Pesticides Bengaluru, 19 May 2020: After unleashing the agri-marketing reforms through the Atmanirbhar stimulus package, the government, in a surprise move, has proposed to ban 27 pesticides such as Carbendazim and Monocrotophos, which are widely used by the farmers across the country.
Health Ministry Issues Advisory For Dental Services Amid Coronavirus Outbreak NEW DELHI, 19 MAY 2020: Amid rising cases of Covid-19, the health ministry has issued advisory restricting dental services to emergency and urgent procedures only. All dental clinics will remain closed in containment areas, whereas in orange and green zones dental clinics can provide only consultations.
Used Masks Pose As Threat If Not Disposed In A Scientific Manner HYDERABAD, 27 APRIL 2020: Even though the municipal administration and urban development department instructed municipalities to ensure the disposal of masks and safety gear in a scientific manner, GHMC and the surrounding municipalities have turned a blind eye to this order.
Global Injections
Reluctance To Access Healthcare In Pandemic ‘Raises Fake Meds Risk’England, 21 May 2020: People are buying prescription-based medicines over the internet rather than seek medical advice amid the COVID-19 crisis, says a UK industry group.
J&J To Stop Selling Talc-Based Baby Powder In US, Canada Fairless Hills, 21 May 2020: Johnson & Johnson is ending sales of its iconic talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder in the U.S. and Canada, where demand has dwindled amid thousands of lawsuits claiming it has caused cancer.
US FDA Looks For Ways To Speed Up Plant Inspections
Mumbai, 16 MAY 2020: The US Food and Drug Administration is considering alternative approaches for inspections of manufacturing sites, acting upon requests from several companies, including Indian drug makers, to address the issue.
Hard To Predict When Pandemic Will Be Over: WHO Officials
Geneva, 14 May 2020: Officials of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is hard to predict when the pandemic will be over, but countries should stay positive and collaborate closely.
US FDA Moves To Stop Fraudulent COVID-19 Products
Washington, 8 May 2020: No form of human misery can be allowed to go unexploited, and the pandemic, it seems, is no exception. As part of Operation Quack Hack, the Food and Drug Administration has stepped up its investigation and enforcement efforts against companies and individuals that are "taking advantage of widespread fear among consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic" by selling fake products and treatments for coronavirus.
Chemicals That Are Worsening COVID-19
Bozeman, southern Montana, 27 April 2020: In 2012, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Program released a report concluding that endocrine-disrupting chemicals are a global public health threat.
PSAIIF PILL
Govt Notifies Guidelines For Practising Telemedicine
New Delhi, 16 May 2020: The government has gazette notified guidelines to practice telemedicine in India, a significant step as telemedicine consultation was a grey area in India.
DoP To Frame Guidelines To Set Up Three Mega Bulk Drug Parks
Mumbai, 27 April 2020: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is in the process of framing guidelines to set up three mega bulk drug parks at different parts in the country. The Union Cabinet has already approved Rs. 3,000 crore under the scheme for promotion of these bulk drug parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Indiscriminate Use Of HCQ In Mumbai is A Cause Of Concern ? Jan Swasthya Abhiyan
New Delhi, 12 May 2020: Health authorities in Mumbai are indiscriminately giving hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to adults and children in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, a health advocacy group has alleged, raising ethical questions over a therapy that lacks clinical evidence of efficacy in treating the disease. The disclosure was made by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) of Mumbai, which outlined its Covid-19 management protocol in an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court. Read More>>>
SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM
Finance Panel To Recommend Health Sector Reforms
New Delhi, 13 May 2020: The Finance Commission is likely to recommend reforms in the health segment, including increased allocation. The panel’s expert group on health had submitted its report earlier this year, but after the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the country’s health infrastructure and disease management capacity, the group will re-examine the recommendations and submit a final report, ET gathers.
Blog Addicts
Mr Joy Mehra, MD Good and interesting articles in every edition of The Prescription. Well presented
Mr Balram Yadav, ProfessionalExcellent Work.
Ms Shailja Bhasin, MBBS
All the newsletters I have read till now have always helped in giving me the knowledge and information which is useful in learning about new developments taking place globally and in India.
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