Patient Safety Capsules
Ramdev Apologises For Remarks Allopathy Medicines
New Delhi, 23 May 2021: After Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan called Ramdev's statement on allopathic medicines "extremely unfortunate" and asked him apologise, the yog guru issued an apology on his official handle on Twitter.
Govt Exploring Possibility Of Covaxin Production Outside India
New Delhi, 21 May 2021: To address the shortage of Covid-19 jabs in the country, the government is exploring the possibility of boosting production of vaccines, including identifying manufacturing sites for indigenously developed Covaxin outside India, sources said.
Drug Laws & Policy Injections
Stop Sharing TOI E-Paper, Delhi HC Tells WhatsApp, TelegramNEW DELHI, 24 MAY 2021: The Delhi high court has restrained WhatsApp and Telegram from illegally circulating e-papers of The Times of India and sister publication Navbharat Times on their platform. It issued notice to the two apps along with certain individuals who are administrators of groups on their platforms while barring them from circulating e-papers for alleged copyright violations.
NABL Mandates QR Code On Test Reports & Calibration Certificates To Prevent Manipulation Mumbai, 24 May 2021: The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has mandated QR code on the test reports and calibration certificates to prevent the manipulation of test results and calibration data.
DST Invites Application From Startup Cos To Develop New Technology & Products To Tackle Covid-19 WaveMumbai, 24 May 2021: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has invited applications from startups and companies for developing new technologies and innovative products to tackle the second wave of Covid 2.0 in the country.
Delhi Directs Covid Drug Sellers To Display Stock, MRPsNEW DELHI, 23 MAY 2021: To prevent and black-marketing of essential drugs for Covid management, the Delhi Disaster Manage-ment Authority (DDMA) has directed all dealers including retailers or chemists to mandatorily display available stock and maximum retail prices (MRPs) of medicines prominently. As per the order, they will need to update the information four times a day.
Those Indulging In Black-Marketing Of Remdesivir In UP Being Booked Under NSA, CM Yogi SaysKanpur, 23 May 2021: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said those indulging in black-marketing of Remdesivir injections in the state are being booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
Pharma Cos Behind Dropping Plasma Therapy For Covid: ExpertsNagpur, 23 May 2021: Convalescent plasma therapy, which was very popular among doctors across the country and used on many Covid-19 patients to date, was removed from the Covid management guidelines of AIIMS-Delhi and ICMR, the premier research body of our country, earlier this week.
Pharma Injections
Patients Take To Social Media For Mucormycosis Drugs, Sood HelpsJodhpur, 23 May 2021: Amid growing shortage of Amphotericin B meant for treatment of black fungus, patients and their relatives have again taken to social media to appeal to people for the life-saving drug.
Are Jabs Helping? ICMR Seeks Hospitalisation Data From StatesPUNE, 23 MAY 2021: The Indian Council of Medical Research has asked all states to ready data of those who were hospita-lised with Covid after vaccination. Experts said the information will be used to explore a theory that states Covid is mostly mild after vaccination.
Medical Stores Throw Away Govt Cap, Sell N95 Mask For Rs 80! THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 22 MAY 2021: A customer walking into any of the medical shops in the capital city is sure to wonder whether the phar-macists live in a different state. Despite the government capping the prices of items needed for Covid prevention and treatment, you will be charged the same exorbitant prices as earlier. An N95 mask is being sold at a price as high as Rs 80 in the city even though the government capped its price at Rs 22.
Fact Check: False Information About Immediate Procurement Of Anti-Coved Drug 2-DG Goes Viral, Dr Reddy's Clarifies New Delhi, 22 May 2021: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) announced on May 8 that it had approved indigenously de-veloped an anti-Covid-19 drug called 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients.
Rajasthan Govt Caps Black Fungus Treatment Charges, Provides Insurance Cover JAIPUR, 22 MAY 2021: Two days after declaring mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, an epidemic, the health department on Friday capped admission and treatment charges for patients suffering from the disease at private hospitals. The disease will also be covered under the Chiranjeevi Yojna insurance scheme for free treatment.
Govt May Rope In 3-4 Firms To Ramp Up Production Of DRDO's Anti-Covid 2DG Drug New Delhi, 21 May 2021: The Centre is considering involving three to more firms to ramp up the production of the DRDO's 2DG drug to win the battle against coronavirus pandemic.
Drug Dopes
ICMR Issues Advisory For COVID Home Testing Using Rapid Antigen TestsNew Delhi, 19 May 2021: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday released an advisory for COVID-19 home testing using Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT). According to the medical body, home testing by RAT should be conducted only in symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of laboratory confirmed positive cases. The ICMR has approved CoviSelf (PathoCatch) COVID-19 OTC Antigen LF device for use at home. It is developed by Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solutions Ltd. 
To Check Hoarding, DCGI Seeks Info On API Stock, UseSolan, 19 May 2021: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has sought information about the stocks, sources and usage of raw material active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in various formulations from the State Drugs Controller (SDC) following an unprecedented rise in their prices.
Mumbai: Demand For Anti-Fungal Injection 'Amphotericin B' Rises With Surge In Mucormycosis Cases Mumbai, 18 May 2021: With the rise in cases of mucormycosis in Covid patients, there has been a corresponding rise in demand for the injection Amphotericin B, by almost 15-20 per cent, amid the second wave of coronavirus lashing the state. Last week, The Free Press Journal had reported that the city hospital had 151 patients suffering from this fungal condition, with many of them suffering loss of vision and facial disfigurement.
Cops Form 178 Teams, Conduct Raids To Curb Black Marketing Of Critical Supplies Dehradun, 19 May 2021: Uttarakhand police have formed 178 teams to curb black marketing of critical supplies and emergency medical equipment needed for the treatment of Covid-19.
Amid Concerns Over Effectiveness, Govt Ramping Up Remdesivir Production New Delhi, 19 May 2021: The Indian government, on Wednesday, claimed it has ramped up the production of Remdesivir, an anti-viral drug prescribed for treating moderate-to-critical Covid patients, by 10 times. From 1 million vials per month in April, the Centre claims it will produce 10 million vials this month, as it has increased the number of plants manufacturing Remdesivir from 20 to 60.
Fashion In Delhi To Convert Any Idea Into A Writ Petition Or A PIL: Delhi High CourtNEW DELHI, 19 MAY 2021: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed with costs of Rs 10,000 a plea seeking information regarding applications filed by foreign pharma companies seeking emergency use authorisation of their COVID-19 vaccines in India, saying it has become a fashion in Delhi to convert any idea into a writ petition or PIL.
National Injections
Covishield's First Dose Develops Strong Immunity Than Covaxin's: ICMR Head New Delhi, 21 May 2021: The government recently accepted the Covid-19 Working Group's recommendation for extending the gap between the two doses of the Covishield vaccine from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks. However, the dosage interval for Covaxin has been left unchanged and remains four weeks.
Registry Data Suggests Phase-3 Clinical Trials For 2-DG At Over 12 Locations May Continue Till AugustNew Delhi, 21 May 2021: With the government presenting DRDO-developed drug 2-DG as a potential game-changer in the fight against COVID-19, the clinical trial registry data suggests that the phase-3 trials for the medicine at over two dozen government and private hospitals and involving 220 patients may continue till August.
PharmEasy To Supplement Govt’s Effort To Accelerate Vaccination Drive Mumbai, 21 May 2021: PharmEasy, a digital healthcare platform, is aiming to supplement the government’s effort, with the launch of one of the biggest vaccination rollouts in the country. It will further accelerate the vaccination drive, as they will be working towards leveraging their presence across India – over 80,000 partner retail-ers, 5,000 doctors and an impeccable pharma supply chain to enable the last-mile delivery of the vaccine.
5 Pharma Companies Get Approval To Make Black Fungus Drug Mumbai/ Ahmedabad, 21 May 2021: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has cleared applications from five pharmaceutical compa-nies to manufacture anti-fungal drug Amphotericin B, used to treat mucormycosis or black fungus.
Dr Reddy’s Warns Public On Spurious Versions Of 2DG, In The Market Hyderabad, 20 May 2021: Generic drugmaker, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories which had developed 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) as an anti-Covid-19 drug in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, has warned the public against spurious or illegal products in the name of 2DG.
Corona Medicine Sales Down 50% Ahmedabad, 20 May 2021: As Covid-19 infections began to reduce across the state, a drastic fall was recorded in the sales of medicines used to treat the disease. Estimates of the Federation of Gujarat State Chemists and Druggists’ Association (FGSCDA) suggest that the sales of Covid medicines have dropped by 50% in terms of volumes. These include medicines such as favipiravir, azithromycin, ivermectin, doxycycline, and even paracetamol. There has been a decline in the sales of steroids such as dexamethasone as well.
Global Injections
Two AstraZeneca Covid Shots 85-90% Effective: UK Real-World AnalysisLONDON, 20 MAY 2021: Two doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine are around 85% to 90% effective against symp-tomatic disease, Public Health England (PHE) said on Thursday, citing an analysis of real-world data from the rollout of the shot.
3 Foreign Nationals Arrested For Online Fraud Attack CCB Team And EscapeBengaluru, 21 May 2021: The Amruthahalli police are on the lookout for three Nigerian nationals who allegedly attacked a Central Crime Branch police team and escaped while they were being arrested on the charge of online fraud Tuesday.
US FDA Recommends Not Using Syringes From Chinese Firm After Safety Issues With Vaccine Injections
Washington, 21 May 2021: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday asked healthcare providers to stop using certain syringes and needles manufactured by Chinese medical device maker Guangdong Haiou Medical Appa-ratus Co (HAIOU).
Two Arrested For Fake Pharma Site
Bengaluru, 20 May 2021: The Central division cyber crime police on Wednesday arrested two persons, including a foreign national, for creating a fake website in the name of a well-known pharmaceutical company and cheating people hoping to buy Remdesivir and other drugs used for the treatment of COVID-19. Ten bank accounts, which the accused used, with deposits amounting to around ₹4 lakh, have been frozen.
US FDA Releases Batch Of 21 Product-Specific Guidances
Maryland, 19 May 2021: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday issued 13 new and eight revised draft prod-uct-specific guidances intended to facilitate the development of generic drugs.
Scientists Find New Way Of Predicting Covid-19 Vaccine Efficacy
Canberra, 18 May 2021: The early immune response in a person who has been vaccinated for COVID-19 can predict the level of protection they will have to the virus over time, according to analysis from Australian mathematicians, clinicians, and scientists, and published the journal Nature Medicine.
PSAIIF PILL
Vax Makers Doubt Government’s Supply Goals
New Delhi, 19 May 2021: Domestic vaccine makers remain unconvinced about the government’s claim that India will have 2.16 bil-lion doses by the year-end as the country grinds through the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic amid severe vaccine shortage.
Time To Make Laws Dealing With Hoarding, Black Marketing More Strict
New Delhi, 16 May 2021: Even though the second wave of Covid-19 seems to have peaked, the numbers are still high and the downward journey is expected to be long. Besides, unlike the first wave, this time the virus is spreading rapidly in rural areas with poor health infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
'Miracle' Covid Cure? Krishnapatnam Ayurvedic Medicine To Be Sent To ICMR
AMARAVATI, 21 MAY 2021: The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday decided to send an Ayurvedic medicine, being touted as a miracle cure for Covid-19 and distributed in SPS Nellore district, to the ICMR for a detailed study of its efficacy as 10,000 people converged at Krishnapatnam to buy it, creating a virtual stampede. Read More>>>
SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM
Demand For Vitamins, Zinc Supplements Soars In Second Wave. Do They Help Prevent Covid-19?
New Delhi, 21 May 2021: Vitamin C, D and zinc supplements have been flying off the shelves of pharmacies as a raging second wave of Covid-19 has led to a spike in demand for immunity boosters. So much so that there are reports of several cities witnessing a shortage of the over-the-counter supplements that are taken for general well-being.
Blog Addicts
Mr Raj Giani, Professional The Prescription has articles that make very good reading. Excellent presentation. Well done.
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Ms Sonia Sinha, Pharma Expert
Good newsletter which brings an array of Pharma News for the avid Prescription newsletter. Keep up the good work.
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