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EDITOR'S EMULSION
Warm Greetings !
Welcome to yet another 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 is therisk of unscrupulous and intentional adulteration of spices through substitution due to their high economic value.
This economically motivated adulteration is a major malpractice and we need to be extremely vigilant, particularly in the regulatory space to avoid such practices.
It is important to have harmonised Codex standards for spices products in global trade and this is a work that needs the highest priority to ensure the safety and quality of the spices and culinary herbs being traded across the world.
The regulatory bodies need to be more vigilant to ensure food safety and quality,"
Ms. Rita Teaotia
Chairperson
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
Sponsor
Patient Safety Capsules
Remdesivir Not A Life Saving Drug: AIIMS-Patna Director To HC
PATNA, 20 APRIL 2021: Remdesivir is not a life saving drug and AIIMS-Patna has not even included this injection in its treatment protocol for Covid-19 patients, AIIMS-Patna director Dr Prabhat Kumar Singh submitted before the Patna high court, which conducted a three-hour special hearing on Monday evening on the severe shortage of beds and oxygen besides non-availability of drugs and poor Covid testing facilities in the state.
Indian Pharma Exports Up 18% To A Record $24.44 Bn In Pandemic Year
New Delhi, 18 April 2021: Indian pharmaceutical exports have registered a record growth in the pandemic year (2020-21), bucking the global trend of 1-2 per cent negative growth in 2020.
Drug Laws & Policy Injections
DCGI Directs To Monitor Availability Of Remdesivir InjMumbai, 10 April 2021: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed all State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) to moni-tor availability of remdesivir injections to ensure its supply and also take timely action to prevent its hoarding and black marketing.
Orissa High Court Dismisses Plea Proposing Red Ant Chutney As COVID-19 Cure Cuttack, 10 April 2021: The Orissa High Court on Friday (09th April) dismissed a plea which claimed that that 'Kaai (Kukuti) Chutney (paste)' which is prepared using red ants, can prevent infection through the COVID-19 virus.
How India Is Disposing Of Covid Vaccine SyringesNew Delhi, 10 April 2021: First there were the PPE kits, with masks, gowns, face shields, gloves, etc, being used by healthcare and frontline workers, and diagnostic equipment for conducting Covid-19 tests. Now, there are syringes — lakhs and lakhs of them — for India’s Covid vaccination drive, which is the world’s largest.
Remdesivir Use In Govt Hospitals 32%, In Pvt Ones It’s 107%: FDANagpur, 10 April 2021: A data shared by Maharashtra Food and Drugs administration (FDA) with the district collectors has pointed out that private hospitals were using Remdesivir injections in much larger quantities than gov-ernment hospitals “under questionable circumstances”.
Centre Prohibits Exports Of Remdesivir Inj And Remdesivir APINew Delhi, 11 April 2021: India is witnessing a recent surge in COVID cases. As on 11.04.2021, there are 11.08 lakh active COVID cases and they are steadily increasing. This has led to a sudden spike in demand for Injection Remdesivir used in treatment of COVID patients. There is a potential of further increase in this demand in the coming days.
Covid-19: Govt To Issue Guidelines On AEFI Treatment SoonNEW DELHI, 12 APRIL 2021: The government is expected to soon issue guidelines on adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) that will help doctors as well as Covid-19 vaccine recipients to identify and treat unusual signs and symp-toms in cases of ‘serious and severe’ instances like rare blood clots.
Pharma Injections
Financial Support For Bharat Biotech, 3 PSEs To Augment Covaxin SuppliesHyderabad, 16 April 2021: The Centre has announced financial support to Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech as well as roped in Haff-kine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation, Indian Immunologicals and Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals, three firms in the public-sector fold, towards augmenting the production of the indigenously-developed COVID-19 vaccine.
Gennova To Get Rs 100 Crore From Govt For Covid-19 VaccineNew Delhi, 11 April 2021: Pune-based Gennova Biopharma, developing India’s first indigenous messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine against Covid-19, will receive government funding of Rs 100 crore, making it the first such large project to be funded under the `Mission Covid Suraksha’.
IPC Releases Draft Chapter On "Approach To Alternative Rapid Microbiological Methods” Mumbai, 12 April 2021: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has released draft chapter on "Approach to alternative rap-id microbiological methods” for stakeholder comments for effective diagnostic practices.
Pharma Cos Seek Emergency Nod To Manufacture Key Covid Drug Mumbai, 12 April 2021: In a bid to increase the availability and affordability of antiviral drug, Remdesivir, the pharma industry has sought emergency approval to manufacture the Covid-19 drug, from the government. Remdesivir, being used extensively in Covid-19 therapy, is protected by a patent held by US company Gilead, with seven domestic companies holding the manufacturing license.
Sales Of Vitamins Grow 22% In March Amid Covid-19 Spike Ahmedabad, 9 April 2021: Vitamin supplements flew off pharmacy shelves rapidly with a record surge in Covid-19 cases. Sales of supplements x (including nutrients and minerals) across the country witnessed a robust growth of 22.2% in March, shows data released by the pharma market research firm AIOCD AWACS.
Sputnik V Gets Emergency Use Approval In India New Delhi, 13 April 2021: The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the use of the Sputnik V vaccine for usage, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
Drug Dopes
Over 21K Tested Positive For Covid After Taking First Dose Of Either Covishield Or Covaxin: GovtNew Delhi, 21 Apr 2021 : More than 21,000 people tested positive for Covid-19 after taking the first dose of either Covishield or Covaxin, while over 5,500 contracted the infection after taking the second dose, the Centre said on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said 0.04 per cent of 17,37,178 individuals, who received the second dose of Covaxin, were positive for Covid-19, while 0.03 per cent of 1,57,32,754 people, who took the second dose of Covishield, contracted the infection. 
DCGI Seeks Daily Update From State & UT DCs To Curb Black Marketing & Over-charging Of Covid DrugsMumbai, 23 April 2021: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed all state and Union territory drugs controllers to provide daily update on enforcement activities to stop hoarding, black marketing and overcharging of Covid management drugs— remdesivir, tocilizumab, favipiravir and oxygen cylinder.
Health Ministry Notifies Inclusion Of Tapentadol In Schedule H1 To Curb Its Abuse Mumbai, 23 April 2021: The Union health ministry has finally notified inclusion of Tapentadol in Schedule H1 to curb its abuse in the country.
Kharagpur IIT’s Device To Detect Virus In 45 Min Kolkata, 21 April 2021: A research team led by Prof Suman Chakraborty and Dr Arindam Mondal of IIT, Kharagpur, has devel-oped an advanced version of COVIRAP (diagnostic technology for infectious diseases including Covid-19) using a stepwise isothermal nucleic acid testing technology for rapid diagnosis of pathogenic infec-tions, including SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), in individuals.
Govt To Monitor Prices Of Vaccines In Open Market NEW DELHI, 22 APRIL 2021: The government is working out a mechanism to monitor the prices of anti-Covid vaccines in the open market once the jabs are available for people above 18 years of age from May 1. While vaccine compa-nies are free to price the vaccines supplied in the open market, hospitals and other vaccine providers are likely to charge an additional fee over it.
PvPI Reports 63,384 ICSRs To VigiBase Towards Effective ADR MonitoringMumbai, 22 April 2021: The Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) has reported 63,384 Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) for the period 2019-20 from adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring centres (AMCs), pharma-ceutical industry and consumers to VigiBase for effective ADR monitoring, as per the official data re-leased by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC).
National Injections
Supply Crisis Around Remdesivir Sees Cos Scrambling To Boost Supplies Mumbai, 12 April 2021: PT Jyothi Datta As Gilead Sciences’ anti-viral drug remdesivir runs in short supply in India, local drug companies that have a license to make the injectable are working on boosting supplies to address, what one industry representative called a “frightening” situation.
IPC And USP India To Cooperate For Setting Drug StandardsMumbai, 14 April 2021: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) and United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) India recently held discussions in Hyderabad on areas of mutual cooperation for setting drug standards and develop-ment of reference standards.
NCB Busts Drug Cartel That Received Supplies From Uttarakhand Pharma Factory New Delhi, 13 April 2021: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized 30.5 lakh opioid pills, 70,000 codeine-based cough sy-rups and nearly 15 kilogramme of amphetamine manufactured by a pharmaceutical company in Uttarak-hand’s Haridwar, the federal drug law enforcement agency said on Monday.
Huge Consignment Of Steroids Seized From Baghpat Meerut, 14 April 2021: A joint team of UP Police and drug inspectors arrested two Delhi-based individuals from Baghpat on Tuesday for allegedly smuggling a huge quantity of steroids and injections to be distributed at various gyms in western Uttar Pradesh.
Govt Approves Stepping Up Of Production Of Remdesivir New Delhi, 14 April 2021: The issue of availability of Remdesivir was reviewed by Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State, For Ports, Shipping and Waterways (Independent Charge) and Chemicals& Fertilizers, Government of India in meetings with the all-existing manufacturers of the Remdesivir drug and other stakeholders on 12th and 13th April 2021, where decisions have been taken to increase production/supply and reduce prices of Remdesivir.
Dr Reddy S Working On Stability Data On 2° To 8° C Temp Range For Sputnik V Vaccine Hyderabad, 14 Apr 2021 (PTI): Dr Reddy's Laboratories is in the process of generating additional stability data for Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, which has a storage condition of -18° C, on 2° to 8° C, a senior official of the drug-maker said on Wednesday.
Global Injections
Remdesivir Crunch Is Due To Bad Science, Bad Politics: Ex-President, IMANew Delhi, 21 April 2021: Hospitals are supposed to provide critical Covid patients with Remdesivir or Tocilizumab, two critical emergency drugs,
First Counterfeit Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines Surface In Poland And MexicoNew York, 21 April 2021: Pfizer discovered the first counterfeits of its COVID-19 vaccines—the latest fakes amid the worldwide push for vaccinations.
Strong Proof Covid-19 Mainly Spreads Through Air: Study
New Delhi, 17 April 2021: Researchers have concluded that there is “consistent” and “strong evidence” to prove the Sars-CoV-2 virus – which causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) – is primarily transmitted through air and that this reasoning should alter countries’ mitigation response to the pandemic that has ravaged the world.
COVID-19 Causes 'Unexpected' Cellular Response In The Lungs, Research Finds
New York, 8 April 2021: An international team of researchers unexpectedly found that a biochemical pathway, known as the immune complement system, is triggered in lung cells by the virus, which might explain why the disease is so difficult to treat. The research is published this week in the journal Science Immunology.
Non-Lung Indicators: Diarrhoea, Body Ache New Covid Symptoms
KOLKATA, 16 APRIL 2021: Covid symptoms have been milder and undergone subtle changes during the second wave along with a much higher transmission rate, often making it difficult to identify the virus, accord-ing to doctors in Kolkata.
New Regulatory Regime For 8 Medical Items Under Drugs And Cosmetics Act
New Delhi, 18 April 2021: Adopting a proactive and sensitive approach to address the needs of the Indian Industry, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken a significant decision for ensuring contin-ued access of eight regulated medical devices today.
PSAIIF PILL
CDSCO To Process Covid Vaccine Import License In 3 Working Days Post Approval
New Delhi, 15 April 2021: India’s drug controller will process import licenses and registration certificate applications of for-eign-made Covid-19 vaccines in three working days after granting the emergency-use approval, according to the Union health ministry’s regulatory pathways announced on Thursday.
50,000 Metric Tonnes Of Medical Oxygen May Be Imported
NEW DELHI, 16 APRIL 2021: Taking cognisance of an "unusual surge" in consumption and demand for oxygen in some states due to the rise in Covid-19 cases, the Centre has taken steps to ramp up production, utilise surplus stocks and also map requirement of high burden states with oxygen sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking For Remdesivir Injections Or Hospital Beds? Check List Of Websites Helping You Find Them
New Delhi, 16 April2021: With the second wave of coronavirus in India and sudden spike in daily infections, the demand for remdesivir injections, hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and plasma donors has increased massively once again. Remdesivir, an antiviral drug used in the treatment of COVID-19, is manufactured by a handful of companies under brand names like Cipremi (Cipla), Covifar (Hetero), Desrem (Mylon), Remdac (Zydus), Redyx (Dr. Reddy’s). Read More>>>
SUBSCRIBER'S SYMPTOM
MvPI Evaluates 1,257 MDAE Reports Through Its Reporting Tools At IPC For Safe Medical Devices
Mumbai, 16 April 2021: The Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI) has in total received and evaluated 1,257 Medical De-vices Adverse Events (MDAE) reports till date through its reporting tools which were launched on Febru-ary 8, 2019, at Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ghaziabad.
Blog Addicts
Ms Rajesh Badhai, Professional The Prescription has articles that make very good reading. Excellent presentation. Well done.
Dr Sushil Singh, MDThe Newsletter has extremely useful information for readers. Great reading, please continue.
Mr Gauri Shankar, 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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